Multiple approaches to oral epithelial dysplasia degree analyses: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is the presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue, which may signify a stage preceding the development of cancer. Our aim was to determine the interrelation between the expression of multiple molecular markers and the histological features of oral dysplasia. METHODS: Fifteen samples of OED (five for each severity degree) were analyzed through software assisted image cytometry nuclear morphology. p53 (wild-type and mutated form), Bax and Bcl2 expression was immunohistochemically determined, and the gene expression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP9 and hTERT was determined by RT-PCR. The mean, standard deviation, ANOVA and Fisher's Exact Test (P<0.05) were performed. RESULTS: Our analysis indicated congruence between the software-assisted measurement of nuclear morphology and severity degree. Only five samples were positive to p53-mutated form; and Bax was more expressed than Bcl-2. hTERT expression was significantly expressed in relation to severity, and MMP1 was predominantly expressed, followed by MMP9 and MMP2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reinforce that software-assisted measurement is an alternative to severity degree determination. MMP1 is an important marker for severity dysplasia degree; however, the predominant expression of Bax over Bcl-2 suggests that this pro-apoptotic state could be used to minorize the progression, perhaps, as a future therapeutic target.