Analysis of immunohistochemical expression of 14-3-3 protein in oral potentially malignant disorders

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents more than 95% of all malignant neoplasms that affect the oral cavity and these tumors are often preceded by clinical alterations that have an evident potential for malignant transformation, which are called oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Among these we can mention oral leukoplakia (OL) and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL), which have clinical and pathological characteristics that overlap. PVL presents a persistent and progressive clinical behavior towards malignancy, with rates of malignant transformation higher than those observed in OL. In addition, it has been described that PVL, particularly in the early stages of the disease, can reveal histopathological findings similar to oral lichen planus, another OPMD with a lower rate of malignant transformation, compromising the early diagnosis of PVL. Additionally, the histological degree of dysplasia is insufficient to predict malignant transformation in cases of leukoplasic lesions in patients with a clinicopathological diagnosis of OL and PVL. A preliminary study carried out by our research group identified, through proteomic analysis, a differentiated expression of the 14-3-3 protein in OL and PVL samples. Although the participation of 14-3-3 proteins in oral cavity neoplasms is not well understood, it is possible to perceive that this family of proteins participates in several relevant carcinogenic processes. In this context, the main objective of this study is to evaluate, by means of immunohistochemistry, the expression of the 14-3-3 protein in OL and PVL samples, in different clinicopathological phases of these OPMDs. (AU)