Immunohistochemical analysis of angiogenesis by CD34 and mast cells by toluidine blue in different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION: Angiogenesis is a complex event mediated by angiogenic factors released from cancer cells and immune cells. It has been reported to be associated with progression, aggressiveness and metastases of various malignant tumors including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Similarly, mast cells have also been reported to play a role in tumor progression and metastases by promoting angiogenesis. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to compare microvessel density (MVD) and mast cell density (MCD) in different histological grades of OSCC in comparison with normal oral mucosa (NM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparison of MVD by CD34 and MCD by toluidine blue among different histological grades of OSCC and in NM as controls. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The results were analysed using “t” test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation co-efficient. RESULTS: The mean MVD was higher in different grades as compared to normal mucosa. Intergroup comparison of increase in MVD between different grades of OSCC was not found to be highly statistically significant. Pearson's correlation between MVD and MCD revealed a linear increase in MVD as the MCD increased, suggestive of a positive correlation. CONCLUSION: There was significant correlation found between MVD and MCD which was in agreement that mast cells promote tumor progression through upregulation of angiogenesis.