Podoplanin and VEGF-C immunoexpression in oral squamous cell carcinomas: prognostic significance.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the clinical significance of podoplanin and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS The immunohistochemical expression of podoplanin and VEGF-C were investigated in 42 well-differentiated OSCCs. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the association of biomarker expression with the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome, as well as with histopathological microscopic features and histopathological malignancy index. The relationship between podoplanin, VEGF-C and prognosis was also studied. Survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan Meier method. RESULTS Strong podoplanin expression was associated with male gender (p=0.037) and with early clinical stage (I-II) (p=0.027). Strong podoplanin expression was more frequently found in patients with perineural infiltration. Podoplanin and VEGF-C expression were not significant prognostic factors for patients with OSCC. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the strong podoplanin and VEGF-C expression by malignant cells is associated with perineural invasion in patients with OSCC.