TGF-β1 and its association with clinicopathological features, proliferative activity and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma : an immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Introduction: The prognostic value of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1) in oral cancer remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate TGF-β1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) samples and its association with clinicopathological data, tumor proliferative activity, and patients’ prognosis. Methods: A total of 68 patients with histopathological diagnosis of OSCC were included, as well as 9 cases of normal oral mucosa for comparison purposes. The OSCC sample was categorized according to patients’ outcomes in favorable prognosis (n=30) or unfavorable prognosis (n=38). Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β1 and Ki-67 were performed. The slides were semi-quantitatively and quantitatively evaluated for TGF-β1 and Ki-67, respectively. Results: TGF-β1 was significantly increased in OSCC compared to normal oral mucosa (<0.01). An inverse correlation was found between TGF-β1 and Ki67 staining in OSCC (p=0.01). No association was found between TGF-β1 expression and OSCC clinicopathological features, prognosis or survival. Conclusions: TGF-β1 had no prognostic value and appears to maintain its suppressive role concerning cell proliferation.