Assessment of glypican-3 immune expression in ameloblastoma, ameloblastic fibroma, ameloblastic carcinoma (pilot study)

Abstract

Background

Odontogenic tumors a variety of benign and malignant lesions developed exclusively in the jaws. They are known to have variable clinical behaviors and different histological features. The development of odontogenic tumors is attributed to alterations in some genetic and biological molecules. The aim of this study is to assess Glypican-3 immune expression in different groups of odontogenic neoplasms as in Ameloblastoma, Ameloblastic Fibroma, and Ameloblastic Carcinoma, and compare it to dental follicle tissue as control group. Also correlate the marker expression with the known biological behavior of these tumors. This study included 40 cases were selected from oral and maxillofacial pathology department (ten cases in each group). Some sections are prepared to be stained with H&E stain and other sections with Glypican-3 immune stain. Histological examination and Histomorphometric analysis were done finally under light microscope. The area percents of Glypican-3 immune expression in all tumor sections were measured.

Results

Level of expression of Glypican-3 revealed significant difference between the study groups (P-value < or = 0.05). The level of immune expression was highest in ameloblastic carcinoma group (M = 58.7) followed by ameloblastoma group (M = 33.9), then ameloblastic fibroma (M = 5.6) and lowest in the control group of dental follicle (M = 1.3).

Conclusions

Glypican-3 immune expression demonstrated statistically significant difference among the study groups, indicating that it may have contributing role in tumor pathogenesis and its biological behavior.