Comparison of the IHC Markers CD138 and CD43 in Oral Leukoplakia: An Original Research

BACKGROUND: In the clinical practice, one of the most common suspicious lesions that may be potentially malignant is oral leukoplakia. Globally, the rate at which it turns malignant varies. This study examines the levels of markers CD138 and 43 in oral leukoplakia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty archival blocks of confirmed epithelial dysplasia were taken from the Department of Oral Pathology. These were processed for the identification of markers CD138 and 43 through Immuno Histo Chemistry (IHC). The blocks were divided equally for both the markers. RESULTS: There was a noticeable difference in staining intensity between dysplastic tissue and nondysplastic epithelium. However, CD138 expression was low or weak in dysplastic epithelium. CD43 expression was negative in all nonhematopoietic tissues. CONCLUSION: Genes that are cancer associated have been found to have incredibly different impacts in numerous tissues during the multistep process of oral carcinogenesis. In tissues undergoing dysplastic changes, CD138 expression was shown to be decreased, which could point out the malignant changes initiated in the epithelium of the oral tissues.