Immunohistochemical profiling of Ameloblastomas using cytokeratin, vimentin, smooth muscle actin, CD34 and S100

BACKGROUND: Ameloblastoma is characterized as a slow growing, non-metastatic and a locally invasive tumor with a high risk of recurrence. Immunohistochemical evaluation of ameloblastomas using epithelial and connective tissue specific markers help in studying the histogenesis and assessing the biological behavior. The aim of the study was to study the expression patterns of cytokeratin, vimentin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), S100 and CD34 in ameloblastomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material for the study consisted of 24 cases of ameloblastomas. The excised specimens were grossed and bits were taken from different areas of the specimen. Based on the histopathology, the cases were classified into different types and stained for immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The cases showed strong positivity to cytokeratin, vimentin, moderate positivity for SMA and S100. Five cases were also moderately positive for CD34 in blood vessels. CONCLUSION: The results and hypothesis achieved from the study, proved to be consistent, not only augmenting the already existing hypothesis but also imparting new concepts of hypothesis.