Predictive value of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and laminin-5 for clinicopathologic oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) staging and grading in Iranian population

  Abstract   Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) constitutes the main oral malignancy .   Parallel to better understanding of molecular and genetic patterns of tumor behavior, more precise correlation of tumor markers such as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Laminin-5 are sought to estimate macroscopic and microscopic tumor status .   Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study collecting oral SCC samples during   2006-2007 from Pathology Department of Shahid Beheshti Dental School. Mmunohistochemical staining with antibodies against EGFR and laminin-5 along with staining degree were reported by two experienced pathologist including degree of staining (low, medium , high), and pathological grading and clinical staging obtained from medical records .   Results: Forty two patients' paraffin blocks of SCC examined with mean age 58( 18.72 ) yrs ranged between 21-88, female to male ratio of 1.33:1 was observed. The study analyses revealed a significant correlation between the expression of laminin-5 with tumor stage and grade (P< 0.001 r=0.547 and r=0.545 respectively), yet no significant correlation between expression of EGFR and tumor stage or grade (P=0.894 r=-0.018 and P=0.543 r=0.86 respectively). Considering high degree of staining and stage IV sensitivity, specifity , positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 44%, 54%, 44% and 78% calculated for ERGF and 55%, 78%, 58% and 86% for laminin-5 respectively . Considering high degree of staining and grade 3 sensitivity, specifity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 57%, 57%,17% and 86% calculated for EGFR and 85%, %82, 50% and 96% for Laminin-5 respectively .   Conclusion: We concluded that laminin-5 has a better prediction for developing higher tumor stage or grade but further research needed for identifying the precise role of EGFR .