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LAMC 2 is a predictive marker for the malignant progression of leukoplakia
Author(s) -
Nguyen Chi Thi Kim,
Okamura Takeshi,
Morita Keiichi,
Yamaguchi Satoshi,
Harada Hiroyuki,
Miki Yoshio,
Izumo Toshiyuki,
Kayamori Kou,
Yamaguchi Akira,
Sakamoto Kei
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/jop.12485
Subject(s) - leukoplakia , epithelial dysplasia , pathology , dysplasia , malignancy , immunohistochemistry , cancer , biology , medicine
Background LAMC 2 plays an important role in cancer invasion. The aim of this study was to (i) compare the immunoexpression of LAMC 2 in different stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma ( OSCC ), early and advanced, and (ii) to evaluate LAMC 2 as a marker of malignant transformation in leukoplakia. Materials and Methods The expression of LAMC 2 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 50 surgical specimens of advanced OSCC assembled as tissue microarrays, and by cDNA microarray in 43 surgical specimens of advanced OSCC . LAMC 2 expression was further examined in 39 surgical specimens of early OSCC and in 93 incisional biopsy specimens of leukoplakia of the tongue, which exhibited epithelial dysplasia. The relationship of LAMC 2 expression score with clinico‐pathological characteristics was analyzed. Results LAMC 2 was remarkably upregulated in OSCC at the cancer–stroma interface. The grade of LAMC 2 expression was significantly associated with the pattern and depth of invasion of OSCC . Foci of LAMC 2‐positive cells were observed in some cases of leukoplakia. The number and size of LAMC 2‐positive foci were significantly associated with the grade of dysplasia. The presence of LAMC 2‐positive foci was a significant predictive factor for the malignant progression of leukoplakia. LAMC 2‐positive leukoplakia had an approximately 11‐fold increased risk of malignancy compared with LAMC 2‐negative leukoplakia. Conclusions The results of this study highlight the value of LAMC 2 as a marker of cancer invasion. LAMC 2‐positive foci in leukoplakia suggest an imminent risk of cancer. LAMC 2 immunostaining is expected to contribute to a more precise assessment of the malignancy of leukoplakia.