Comparison of E-cadherin Marker Expression Between Lichen Planus, Leukoplakia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

<i>Objective</i>: E-cadherin is a membranous glycoprotein that acts as an adhesive agent in intercellular communication, this marker level decreases in dysplastic condition, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the expression level of the mentioned marker on Oral Lichen Planus (OLP), Oral Leukoplakia (OL) and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) lesions. <i>Methods</i>: In this in-vitro study was conducted on 60 pararhyme blocks of patients with OL, OLP, and OSCC (n = 20) using Immunohistochemically (IHC) staining diagnosis were classified as follows: Code 0: Not painted Code 1: Less than 25% staining, Code 2: 25% - 50% staining, Code 3: 50% - 75% staining, Code 4: More than 75% staining and reported as proportional score and data were compared according to gender and lesion type using SPSS 22.0 Software and significance level of p < 0.05). <i>Results</i>: 60 blocks of 60 patients (30 males and 30 females) were included in the study. E-cadherin marker expression on IHC code I (< 25% staining) and code II (25% < 50%) was the most in OSCC (25%) and OL (30%) respectively and the least in OLP (10 and 20% respectively). In IHC code 3 (50% < 75%) and code IV (< 75%) was the most in OLP (40% and 30% respectively) and the least in OSCC (20% and 30% respectively).. There was no significant difference in marker expression according to gender and lesion type (p > 0.05). <i>Conclusion</i>: The results of this study show that changes in cadherin expression in leukoplakia and lichen planus compared to squamous cell carcinoma can be considered as an important factor in the expression of dysplasia changes.