Immunohistochemical expression of caspase 7 and annexin v as apoptosis markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma : a clinicopathological study

Abstract EN

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy .It is an epithelial malignancy with morphologic features of squamous cell differentiation without additional features suggestive of other differentiated tissues.

Caspase 7 is a caspase involved in execution phase of apoptosis.

The genetic alteration of caspase 7 might be involved in the development of human cancer.

Annexin V belongs to a family of phospholipids binding proteins.

It binds in the presence of Ca+2 ions with high affinity to negatively charged phospholipids like phosphatidylserine(PS) exposed on cell surface during apoptosis.

The aim of the study: The aim of the study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of caspase 7 and Annexin V as apoptosis markers in correlation with various clinicopathological parameters in oral squamous cell carcinoma Materials and Methods: The study is a prospective one in which twenty cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma and eleven retrospective of paraffin embedded formalin fixed of oral squamous cell carcinoma blocks.

H&E stain was done for each block for reassessment of histological examination.

An immunohistochemical staining done by using monoclonal antibodies for caspase-7 and annexin V.

Results: The results of 31 oral squamous cell carcinoma cases included in this Study.

Age group of studying samples was more than 50 years.

Immunohistochimical expressions were as follows in all cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma for caspase 7 and Annexin V tumor markers: The expression of caspase-7 was weak positive in 12 cases (38%), strong positive in 11 cases (35%) and 8 (25%) cases were negative.

The expression of Annexin V was weak positive 16 cases (51%), strong positive 10 cases (32%) and 5 cases (16%) were negative.

Statistical result for caspase 7 and AnnexinV with clinlinicopathological parameters was no significant correlation between them.

Conclusions: Immunohisto chemical expression were observed in studying samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma of both annexin V and caspase 7, however, statistically non significant correlation with all clinicopathological findings were found and between both markers