Establishment of the role of myofibroblasts in invasive process of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A pilot study.

Abstract

To establish the role of myofibroblasts in invasive process of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Four study groups were formed as follows: group 1 consisting of 30 cases of well-differentiated OSCC, group 2 consisting of 30 cases of moderately differentiated OSCC, group 3 consisting of 30 cases of poorly differentiated OSCC, and group 4 consisting of controls. Staining of all of the specimens was done using a-SMA antibody through immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedure. Multiplication product of staining intensity (A) and percentage of a-SMA-stained immuno-positive cells (B) gave a final staining index (FSI). According to FSI, score zero was graded as index zero; score one and two were graded as index low; score three and score were graded as index moderate; and score six, seven, eight and nine were graded as index high. Mean FSI among specimens of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 7.93, 8.47, 8.8, and 0, respectively. Non-significant results were obtained while comparing the mean final staining index among specimens of groups 1, 2 and 3. However; while comparing between groups 1 and 4, groups 2 and 4, and groups 3 and 4, significant results were obtained. While comparing the FSI among overall OSCC group (groups 1, 2 and 3) and controls (group 4), significant results were obtained. Myofibroblasts are an integral component of processes associated with the creation of a permissive environment for cancer invasion process in patients with OSCC. Myofibroblasts are associated with the creation of progressive and invasive processes of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Hence, they might be employed as a part of future target for therapeutics in cancer therapy.