Quantitative analysis of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions and epidermal growth factor receptor in ameloblastomas.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferation activity by means of the quantification of the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) and the patterns of expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in ameloblastomas.


METHODS
The methods of evaluation included the H/E stain for the morphologic analysis, the silver impregnation technique for quantification of the AgNORs and the immunohistochemical stain with anti-EGFR antibody in 11 cases of ameloblastoma.


RESULTS
The results did not show a significant statistical difference as per quantification of the AgNORs. The expression of the EGFR on the epithelial islands of ameloblastoma was not uniform, and the location of the expression was also variable. The predominant expression was that of cytoplasm and the islands with an expression of membrane only were rare and generally smaller in size.


CONCLUSIONS
The tumor presents an irregular growth. Smaller islands are associated with a higher proliferation activity and therefore could be responsible for tumor infiltration.
Payeras
M R
MR
Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Sant'Ana Filho
M
M
Lauxen
I S
IS
Barbachan
J J D
JJ
D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000737:chemistry*; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C051963:nucleolar organizer region associated proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors