Immunohistochemical analysis of laminin expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims at the observation of the immunohistochemical expression of laminin in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of salivary gland origin and to analyze the distribution of laminin in various components of the tumor and correlate the expression of laminin with the growth and differentiation of the tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty cases of ACC were subjected to immunohistochemical study using polyclonal antihuman laminin primary antibody, distribution of laminin in each case of ACC was observed in the following areas: Intracellularly, inner borders of the pseudocystic spaces, within the lumen of the pseudocysts, around the tumor islands and in the intervening stroma. RESULTS: Laminin positivity was observed in the inner aspect of the pseudocystic spaces in 15 cases, within the lumen of pseudocystic spaces in 22 cases, in the intervening stroma in 20 cases, bordering the tumor islands in 16 cases and intracellularly in 4 cases. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Based on these observations, it can be assumed that laminin plays a major role in proliferation of the tumor cells and in pseudocyst formation. Thus, laminin might play a significant role in the growth and differentiation of ACC and also help in assessing the prognosis of the tumor.