Evaluation of immunoexpression of Ajuba protein in normal oral mucosa and Oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: OSCC is a major public health problem and it ranks among the top ten cancer worldwide. Though there are several modalities for treatment of OSCC but the prognosis remains to be poor. The researchers have reported several molecules in these steps of OSCC which undergo mutations. One such molecule is from the Zyxin family of proteins, named AJUBA. The AJUBA is a cytosolic protein and has the ability to shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. It is a multifunctional scaffold protein which takes part in several physiological conditions. Recent studies on various malignancies have noted its association in tumor progression, growth, migration and in few malignancies as a tumor suppressor. There is a sparse literature available on its role in OSCC and normal oral mucosa. The present study aims to evaluate the role of AJUBA in normal oral mucosa and OSCC. Objective: • To assess and compare the immunoexpression of AJUBA in normal oral mucosa and oral squamous cell carcinoma. • To corelate the immunoexpression of AJUBA in oral squamous cell carcinoma with demographic and clinicopathological parameters