engleski

Expression of c-erb-2 in patients with oral lichen ruber (OLR)

Oral Lichen Ruber (ORL) is precancerous lesion of mucous membrane, according to WHO criteria from 1978. Numerous reports from recent years point out this problem. It is emphasized that potential frequency of malignant transformation of OLR lesions into planocellular carcinoma of the oral cavity (OPCC) is possible in 0, 3-10% cases. Increasing frequency of malignant alteration was observed among atrophic, erosive and ulcerous lesions, sublingual lesions and tongue lesions. The aim of this paper is to define possible malignant potential of OLR lesions by determining the expression intensity of c-erbB-2, PCNA and Ki-67 antigens, as indicators of activity and proliferation of these lesions. Examination included 30 patients with OLR, and the results were compared with the control group of 15 patients diagnosed with oral leukoplakia, verified as leukoplakia simplex or homogenous leukoplakia. The aim of the examination was to determine the expression intensity of the aforesaid tissue antigens in ORL lesions, and to define potential difference in the expression intensity between clinical forms of lesions in lichen ruber planus (LRP) and lichen ruber erosivus (LRE). Also, the aim was to determine the expression intensity of stated antigens in OLR lesions relative to the extent of inflammation and the extent of hyperkeratosis in lesions. Obtained results pointed at altered expression intensity of these lesions. The loss of c-erbB-2 antigen expression was apparent in OLR lesions. There was no difference in the expression intensity among clinical forms of OL. Intensity of this antigen expression was independent to the extent of inflammation, but positively correlated with the extent of the hyperkeratosis in lesion. Strong intensity of PCNA antigen expression was observed in OLR lesions, without notable difference in expression intensity of individual clinical forms of the disease. The intensity of PCNA antigen expression positively correlated with the extent of inflammation and the extent of hyperkeratosis in lesions. Expression of Ki-67 tissue antigen was manifested by mild to moderately strong reaction. Reaction of greater intensity was observed in erosive lesions of oral lichen. The reaction positively correlated with the extent of inflammation and the extent of hyperkeratosis in lesions. It can be concluded that such altered expression of c-erbB.2, PCNA and Ki-67 antigens in OLR lesions points to altered nature of those lesions with the potential to undergo malignant transformation.

oral lichen ruber; c-erbB-2

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