Immunohistochemical evaluation of epithelial Mesenchymal transition markers e-cadherin & Zeb1 in oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis & oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is commonest cancer affecting oral cavity. It is characterized by a substantial level of local aggressiveness, invasion, and regional lymph node involvement, as well as a high fatality rate. OSCC is usually preceded by occurrence of precursor lesions which demonstrate a varying degree of malignant transformation potential. There are various molecular mechanisms and pathways that regulate OSCC development as well as progression. Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is one such crucial molecular event that contributes to tumor progression and metastasis. EMT is mediated by various epithelial and mesenchymal proteins. E-Cadherin down regulation and over-expression of ZEB1 has been reported in several cancers. Thus present study aimed to evaluate the role of E- cadherin and ZEB1 in oral pre-malignancy and malignancy. Objective: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of EMT markers E- cadherin and ZEB1 in oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma