Expression of CD 20 B-Lymphocyte in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: A comparative immunohistochemistry study

BACKGROUND: As the progressive trends in the field of immunotherapy, it is very favourable to reconsider the role played by B lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment. Both the protumorogenic and antitumorogenic responses have to be evaluated to formulate an effective immunotherapeutic protocol. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The study was primarily conducted to assess the qualitative expression of B lymphocytes in pretumorogenic (oral epithelial dysplasia) and tumorogenic environment (oral squamous cell carcinoma). The differential immunohistochemical staining of CD 20 immune marker was assessed in about 60 cases that included 30 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia and 30 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma. RESULTS: The study found significant correlation between CD 20 IHC immune expression and histopathological diagnosis along with significant correlation between the subject's age group and histopathological diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Modulating the immune response in a precancerous state can be highly beneficial in implementing better immunotherapeutic strategies to treat or prevent malignancy at an early stage.