title: Expression of midkine in ameloblastomas and its correlation with clinicopathologic parameters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor that is overexpressed in various human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of MK in ameloblastomas and correlate the results with clinicopathologic parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases of ameloblastoma seen between 1999 and 2010 were identified. Clinical information was collected regarding age, gender, race, and location of tumor. Cases were classified as solid/multicystic, unicystic, and peripheral. The expression of midkine was assessed using immunohistochemistry. A significant difference was considered present at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 34 cases of ameloblastoma and 4 cases of ameloblastic carcinomas were identified. MK was expressed in 67% of lesions (23.5% weak expression; 14.7% moderate expression; 29.4% strong expression). A significant difference was seen between solid/multicystic and unicystic lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MK is expressed in the majority of ameloblastomas, suggesting a role of the protein in the tumor's development, progression, and behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Scheper
authors.forename: Eliza C B
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Chaidan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Intapa
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lenin M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Thauanne P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Risa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaisuparat
authors.forename: Aline C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.forename: Bruno C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Jham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078792:Midkine
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D000078792:Midkine