title: Immunohistochemical study of CD44s expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma-its correlation with prognostic parameters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims at the observation of the immunohistochemical expression of CD44s in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and to correlate its expression with prognostic parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 cases of OSCC, - 10 cases of each well differentiated (WD SCC), moderately differentiated (MD SCC) and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (PD SCC) were included in the study. The sections were subjected to immunohistochemical study using CD44s antigen marker. The degree of intensity and distribution of CD44s immunostaining was assessed and correlated with prognostic markers such as tumor stage (tumor size), tumor grade (Broder's histological grading), tumor site, tumor thickness (histological depth of invasion) and nodal status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CD44s expression by tumor cells in OSCCs is statistically correlated with tumor grade i.e. Higher mean of CD44s immunoexpression was observed in WD SCC group (10.80 ± 3.97), followed by MD SCC group (5.90 ± 3.38) and PD SCC group showed least CD44s immunoexpression (3.70 ± 4.64). There was no statistical significance observed with respect to the other prognostic markers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these observations it can be suggested that the decrease in expression of CD44s in OSCC cells may be due to the reduced cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix adhesion, resulting in easy detachment from the rigid constitution. Low expression of CD44s in OSCC tissues may be an indicator of tumor invasion and high metastatic potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Research Centre, Bangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hema
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Research Centre, Bangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Research Centre, Bangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Hs Uma
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Research Centre, Bangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Ns
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Priya
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Research Centre, Bangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smitha
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Research Centre, Bangaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Hs
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sheethal
keywords: CD44s antigen; cell to cell adhesion; cell to matrix adhesion; oral squamous cell carcinoma