Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder (PMD) known to transform into oral cancer. One of the important hallmarks of malignant transformation is the uncontrolled growth rate, commonly reflected as increased cell proliferation which can be significantly detected by proliferative markers such as a high Ki-67 index. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree and pattern of expression of Ki67 in OSMF, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and in normal mucosal (NOM) patients and to correlate the Ki67 expression with clinical and histological grading of OSMF and OSCC patient. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a duration of two years. An immunohistochemical study was performed for Ki76 expression on 35 cases of OSMF, 10 cases of OSCC and 10 normal mucosal patients. Statistical Analysis: Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Chi-squared test was used to analyse the differences between the intensity levels in OSMF, OSCC and NOM. Results: Expression of Ki67 was significantly higher in OSMF than that of NOM samples but less than that of OSCC samples. Expression of Ki67 increased with increasing grade of clinical and histological stages. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a high incidence of Ki67 overexpression in OSMF and OSCC and showed a correlation between clinical and histological grading of OSMF and OSCC. Identification of high-risk oral PMDs and intervention at premalignant stages could constitute one of the key steps in reducing the mortality, morbidity and cost of treatment associated with malignant transformation of these diseases.

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is potentially malignant disorder known to transform into oral cancer. The malignant transformation is often associated with changes at the genetic level that in turn is reflected by the altered expression of proteins related to cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis. Expression of p53 tumor suppressor gene is one of the common findings in human cancers including the oral cancer. Therefore, the early detection of potentially malignant OSMF has been crucial in the inhibition of oral cancer. Aim and Objectives: To determine the main pathological logical factors and expression of aberrant p53 in OSMF, oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and in normal patients, to study correlation between p53 expression with clinical staging and histological grading of OSMF. Materials and Methods: An immunohistochemical (IHC) study was performed for p53 expression on 35 cases of OSMF, 10 cases of OSCC with history of habits and 10 normal patients without any habits. Results: The expression of p53 showed a significant difference between normal oral mucosa, OSMF and OSCC samples. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a high incidence of p53 over expression in OSMF and OSCC. The results indicate that p53 over expression may play a role in pathogenesis of OSMF and in the development of Oral squamous cell carcinoma. With early detection of the high-risk patients with OSMF, we can expect to develop more intensive treatment modalities, leading to the reduction in cancer transformation rate from OSMF.