Immunoexpression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 (TGFβ3) and Its Receptor Type III (TGFβRIII) in Basal Cell Carcinomas

ABSTRACT: Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are malignant tumors with particular biological prognosis and behavior, and the biomolecular investigation of these lesions can provide important therapeutic targets for epithelial neoplasia. In this study we analyzed the immunoexpression of transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) and its receptor type III (TGFβRIII) for 53 cases of BCC in relation to the main histopathological prognostic parameters. The results indicated statistically significant differences of TGFβ3 and TGFβRIII expression related to histological type and lesion stage, the both proteins being higher expressed in adenoid and morpheaform advanced stage tumors. In this study, TGFβ3 and TGFβRIII immunoexpression analysis indicated their utility for identifying aggressive BCCs with potential for tumor progression