title: Overexpression of immunosuppressive cytokines is associated with poorer clinical stage of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its relationship with prognostic clinical and microscopic parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β2 in OSCC samples from 43 patients who had undergone surgical excision and neck dissection. Metastatic lymph nodes were included in the study (n=23). Samples of healthy oral mucosa (n=20) were used as controls. The sections were evaluated using a semi-quantitative method in conjunction with staining intensity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings showed that the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β2 by neoplastic and stromal cells was high in most of the OSCC samples (>70% of samples), especially when compared to the controls (≅10% of samples) (P<0.05). OSCC neoplastic cells in cervical lymph nodes were also positive for IL-10 and TGF-β2. An association between high expression of IL-10 by neoplastic cells and advanced clinical stage (T3-T4) was verified (P=0.02). Although not statistically significant, the expression of TGF-β2 was also augmented in advanced stage tumours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the ability of OSCC neoplastic cells to secrete immunosuppressive cytokines could contribute to clinical progression by maintaining a microenvironment conducive to evasion and tumour proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Dental School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil. Electronic address: diegoantonio_arantes@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Diego Antonio Costa
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Arantes
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Dental School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil. Electronic address: nadialago@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nádia Lago
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Dental School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil. Electronic address: elismaur@ufg.br.
authors.forename: Elismauro Francisco
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, Dental School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Electronic address: tarcilia@odonto.ufmg.br.
authors.forename: Tarcília Aparecida
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology (Oral Pathology), Dental School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil. Electronic address: ali.caba@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Aline Carvalho
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Batista
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: Immunosuppression; Interleukin-10; Oral cancer; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Transforming growth factor β