EXPRESSION OF CD68 IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant cancer of oral cavity. Objective of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD68 in OSCC and to assess CD68 immunohistochemical expression in various grades of OSCC. Methods: Records of OSCC resections were retrieved from computerized laboratory data of Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar, and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. Blocks of their tissue preserved in formalin and paraffin were also extracted. A 5-micron segment stained with haematoxylin and eosin was analysed using a light microscope. Patient’s age, sex, location of the lesion, and TNM staging were received from biopsy request forms, while the histological diagnosis, excision margin status, and lymph node involvement were retrieved from the biopsy reports. Results: As per intensity of CD68, 32 (32%) patients had weak CD68 expression of OSCC, 46 (46%) patients had moderate CD68 expression and 22 (22%) patients had strong CD68 expression. Conclusion: While there was no link between patient age or gender and CD68 expression in OSCC, there was a significant association with tumour site and histological grades. Due to its significant association with histological grades, CD68 may serve as a marker for OSCC aggressiveness and prognosis. Tumour location is important for predicting CD68 levels, and it may have a role in tumour behaviour. Pak J Physiol 2024;20(2):44-7, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v20i4.1540