Correlation between expression of EGFR and Laminin- 5 with clinical stage and microscopic grade of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) constitutes 94% of oral malignancies. In recent decade many molecular and genetic changes have been known to affect tumoral behavior which might be good targets for new drug production. It is known that expression of EGF is correlated with poor prognosis and expression of laminin–5 can lead to the development of premalignant lesions to in situ or invasive malignancies. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the expression of EGFR and laminin–5 with clinical stage and microscopic grade of oral SCC. Forty two paraffin blocks with diagnosis of SCC were collected from oral pathology department of Shahid Beheshti dental school. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies against EGFR and laminin –5. Two pathologists counted the number of stained cells under light microscope and expression of these two markers was compared by Kendal test. No significant correlation was found between expression of EGFR and tumoral stage and grade. But a significant correlation was found between the expression of laminin-5 with tumoral grade and stage was found (p<0.01). It is concluded that laminin–5 is a marker with a significant effect in developing of a higher tumoral stage and grade but more precise researches are needed to identifying the role of EGFR.