Myofibroblasts as important diagnostic and prognostic indicators of oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study using alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity, with multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Data from the past literature suggest that myofibroblasts (MFs) can also contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of the disease. Hence, the present study was undertaken for assessing the expression of MF in well-differentiated OSCC (WDOSCC), moderately differentiated OSCC (MDOSCC), poorly differentiated OSCC (PDOSCC) and healthy controls by immunohistochemistry using alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) antibody. METHODOLOGY: Forty cases each of WDOSCC, MDOSCC, PDOSCC and healthy controls were included. 4-μm thick sections from each tissue sample were stained with routine hematoxylin and eosin as well as immunohistochemically using α-SMA. Among different grades of OSCC, expression of MFs was compared. All the results were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: While comparing the expression of MFs in between different grades of OSCC, nonsignificant results were obtained. While comparing the expression of MF in between OSCC cases and normal controls, significant results were obtained. CONCLUSION: MFs are one of the vital pathogenetic components in OSCC cases in predicting their invasive behaviors. We advocate the use of MFs as a stromal marker for visualizing invasion and progression in OSCC patients.