Prediction of metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma through phenotypic evaluation and gene expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 biomarkers with clinical correlation.

Context: Controversies prevail regarding the true predictive role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers in metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). There is also limited research carried on till date wherein the protein and gene expression of EMT biomarkers have been investigated simultaneously in the Indian population.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the gene expression and quantitative protein expression of EMT biomarkers using conventional method and MATLAB software and to determine if there is any difference in the expression between metastatic and nonmetastatic OSCCs with clinicopathologic correlation.

Settings and design: Twenty metastatic and nonmetastatic OSCC tissue sections each were obtained from department archives. Gene expression and quantified protein expression of EMT markers were done and correlated with clinical parameters.

Subjects and methods: Sections immunostained for EMT biomarkers were evaluated using semi-quantitative and quantitative (MATLAB) methods. Gene expression using semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was done. These findings were correlated with clinical parameters.

Statistical analysis used: Pearson's Chi-square test, Student's t-test, and univariate logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS software.

Results: The low immunoexpression of E-cadherin and β-catenin and the high expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 correlate with Stages III and IV showing high metastatic risk. Furthermore, the upregulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene expressions in advanced clinical stages of OSCC have high metastatic potential.

Conclusions: This study is the first of its kind to employ texture and color segmentation in MATLAB to objectively assess the protein expression of EMT biomarkers. This research is instrumental in studying the protein and gene expressions of EMT markers with clinical correlation.