Immunohistochemical evaluation of myofibroblasts in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the presence of myofibroblasts quantitatively in oral epithelial dysplasia, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks were retrieved from the institutional archives. The sample size is 35 and included 15 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia (n = 15), 15 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (n = 15) and 5 cases of normal oral mucosa which served as the control (n = 5). Histologic sections were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using alpha-smooth muscle actin, and the mean number of myofibroblasts was evaluated. RESULTS: There were no myofibroblasts in the stroma of normal oral mucosa and oral epithelial dysplasia. Whereas all cases of OSCC showed myofibroblasts (mean ± standard deviation: 21.49 ± 9.76). This difference of myofibroblasts between OSCC and oral epithelial dysplasia was statistically significant with a P < 0.05. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean number of Myofibroblasts(MF) between 3 histologic grades of OSCC. CONCLUSION: The presence of myofibroblasts in the stroma of OSCC and their absence in normal oral mucosa and epithelial dysplasia reveals that these cells may play a role in cancer cell invasion and progression so the treatment strategies targeting the myofibroblasts and their by products may be beneficial in OSCC patients.