Expression of MUC1 mucin in potentially malignant disorders, oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa: An immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Background:Mucins alteration in glycosylation is associated with the development and progression of malignant diseases. Therefore, mucins are used as valuable markers to distinguish normal and disease conditions. Many studies on MUC1 expression have been conducted on variety of neoplastic lesions other than head and neck region. None of the study has made an attempt to show its significance in potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Hence, ours is one of the pioneer studies done to assess and evaluate the same.Aims:This study aims to compare and correlate the expression of MUC1 mucin protein in normal oral mucosa (NOM), PMD's and OSCC by immunohistochemical method.Materials and Methods:Institutional study, archived tissue sections of OSCC (n = 20), PMD's (n = 20) and NOM (n = 20) were immunostained for MUC1 mucin and percentage of positive cells evaluated. Results obtained were statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney test and Student's t-test.Results:The mean MUC1 mucin positive cells in the study groups were as follows, 40% in OSCC, 28% in PMD's and 0.75% in NOM. Higher mean immunohistochemical score was observed in OSCC group followed by PMD's group and NOM group. The difference in immunohistochemical score among the groups was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001).Conclusion:The result of the current study suggests that determination of MUC1 mucin expression may be a parameter in the diagnosis of malignant behavior of PMD's to OSCC. MUC1 mucin expression may be a useful diagnostic marker for prediction of the invasive/metastatic potential of OSCC.

Expression of mucin-1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal oral mucosa: An immunohistochemical study

“…Recently, new markers such as mucins have been studied in the various cancers such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, upper respiratory tract cancer, esophageal cancer and also oral cancer. [ 6 10 13 14 15 16 ] Mucins are high-molecular-weight glycoproteins that play a major role in cell growth, differentiation and cell signaling. The cancer cells use mucin for cell proliferation, survival, invasion, metastatic growth and protection against innate immunity.…”

“…The cancer cells use mucin for cell proliferation, survival, invasion, metastatic growth and protection against innate immunity. [ 5 6 ] Among various mucins, expression of MUC1 transmembrane has been extensively studied in various types of tumors.…”

“…[ 10 18 ] MUC1 expression and alterations in glycosylation are associated with the development and progression of malignancy. [ 6 16 ] Therefore, mucins can be used as valuable markers to distinguish between normal and malignant conditions.…”

“…The cancer cells use mucin for cell proliferation, survival, invasion, metastatic growth and protection against innate immunity. [ 5 6 ]…”

Detection of miR-21, MUC1mRNA and VEGF Protein Biomarkers Expression Changes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCC) in Peripheral Blood

“…MUC1 mRNA was therefore evaluated by real-time RT-PCR in order to occult cancer cells [38]. The result of another study suggests that the determination of MUC1 expression may be a useful diagnostic marker for the OSCC [39]. MUC1 may be selected as a target for the effective treatment methods in OSCC [10].…”