Expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma

Abstract

The salivary glands neoplasms (NSG) are rare, occurring mainly in the parotid gland, and the knowledge of their etiological factors is still very limited. Considering the benign neoplasms, Pleomorphic adenoma (AP) is the most common. In rare episodes, AP can undergo malignant transformation, becoming a carcinoma ex- pleomorphic adenoma (CXAP) by changing its indolent behavior to an aggressive one. The epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a much-discussed event, in which there is a decrease in epithelial markers, and an increase of mesenchymal markers, therefore, an increased cell mobility, allowing adjacent tissue infiltration. Various epithelial and mesenchymal markers have been linked to EMT and, among them are included E-cadherin, Snail 1, Snail 2 and the Bmi-1. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the expression of these markers in benign PA and CXPA, and discuss the possible role of these markers in the process of EMT. For evaluation of the expressions, immunohistochemical reactions using primary antibodies (anti-cadherin, anti-Snail 1, anti-Snail 2 and anti-Bmi-1) in samples of AP and CXAP. will be the method used. The analyses will be performed using a positive cells counting index in a high power view using ten fields. (AU)