Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin-β in tissue specimens, saliva and urine of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains as one of the leading causes of death in many of the developing countries including India. Early detection helps in improving the prognosis and survival rates. Over the years, tumor markers continue to play an important role in diagnosing and monitoring cancer progression. The ectopic production human chorionic gonadotropin-β (hCG-β) is one such marker that is seen in various nontrophoblastic cancers and serves as a marker for tumor prognosis. Few immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of hCG-β in oral cancers too. The present study investigated the immunohistochemical expression, levels of hCG-β in saliva and urine of various grades of OSCC patients and correlated it with their histopathological grading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue sections of 50 histologically confirmed OSCC were subjected to immunohistochemical staining by using hCG-β antibody (well differentiated – 21, moderately differentiated – 21 and poorly differentiated – 8). The levels of hCG-β in saliva and urine were estimated in these individuals, by using Beckman Coulter Access 2 automated immunoassay system and comparisons drawn. RESULTS: hCG-β immunopositivity was seen in 8 (38%) of 21 well-differentiated, 11 (52%) of 21 moderately differentiated and 6 (75%) of 8 poorly differentiated OSCC specimens. The levels of hCG-β in both saliva and urine were increased in poorly differentiated (0.40 and 1.19 mIU/ml) than moderately (0.3 and 0.76 mIU/ml) and well-differentiated (0.36 and 0.48 mIU/ml) OSCC patients. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical expression, salivary and urine levels of hCG-β could serve as an independent prognostic indicator in OSCC patients.