title: Immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 is not associated with tumor-infiltrating macrophages and cyclooxygenase-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An inflammatory component consisting of cells and chemical mediators may influence the proliferation and dissemination of the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In the present study, we evaluated the possible relationship between Ki-67, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and COX-2 in OSCCs. In addition, the immunodetection of these proteins was associated with different histological grades of malignancy, including invasive and in situ tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven OSCC cases were examined by light microscopy using criteria adopted WHO, and immunohistochemistry for Ki-67, CD68, and COX-2 using EnVision System in invasive and in situ lesions. Immunohistochemical detection of these proteins was assessed and scored for COX-2, and results were compared with their histological grades of malignancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A correlation between Ki-67, COX-2, and CD68 was not found. Histological grade of malignancy (HDM) was associated with the Ki-67 immunostaining (P = 0.00), but this was not observed regarding both CD68 (P = 0.51) and COX-2 (P = 0.89). Furthermore, there was a COX-2 overexpression in 62.96% of the sample, and a high density of TAMs in both OSCCs and in situ carcinomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imunolabeling for Ki-67 was directly correlated with less-differentiated tumors, suggesting that this marker may contribute to understand the biological behavior of OSCC, and help to distinguish risk groups of OSCC. Furthermore, the lack of correlation between Ki-67, COX-2, and CD68 indicates that the latter two markers may play a pivotal role in oral carcinogenesis. However, further studies are needed to clarify their contribution for cell proliferation and tumor differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-morphology, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, UFBA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deise Souza Vilas
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bôas
authors.forename: Christina Maeda
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Takiya
authors.forename: Tatiana Lobo
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Coelho-Sampaio
authors.forename: Leonardo Campos
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Monção-Ribeiro
authors.forename: Eduardo Antônio Gonçalves
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Márcia Grillo
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Jean Nunes
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: dos Santos
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004396:Coloring Agents; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000032:analysis*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004396:Coloring Agents; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule