Immunohistochemical expression of EMMPRIN (CD147) in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Issue 1 (January 2018) - Sahaf, Rakia
Abstract: Objective: EMMPRIN (CD147) is known largely for its ability to stimulate matrix metalloproteinase production in stromal cells. Since it modulates tumor microenvironment and orchestrate epithelial to mesenchymal transition, it is likely to play an important role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression. The aim of the present study was to determine the immuohistochemical expression of EMMPRIN (CD147) and its association with clinicopathological parameters in OSCC patients presenting in our part of the world. Methods: Tissue biopsies from 100 OSCC patients, with detailed account of their clinical data were included. After histological examination, samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry using monoclonal CD147 antibody. Cases were microscopically scored on the basis of staining intensity and proportion of positive tumor cells and were then assigned a total score from 0 to +3. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 21.0. Results: Immunohistochemical staining of the histological tissue sections of all n = 100 cases of conventional (n = 92), papillary 0SCC (n = 6) and verrucous carcinoma (n = 2) demonstrated extensive but varying immunopositivity for CD147 antibody. More than half of the OSCC cases (60%) expressed strong positive score. A significant association was found between EMMPRIN (CD147) total score and histological grades of the tumor ( P = 0.003). Conclusions: EMMPRIN protein is extensively expressed in OSCC patients with a significant association with degree of differentiation of the tumor. In this regard EMMPRIN might be an attractive target for antibody-based immunotherapy in OSCC patients in Pakistan.