title: FAK is overexpressed in keratocystic odontogenic tumor: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an important mediator of cell adhesion, growth proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and migration. FAK is overexpressed in many locally invasive and malignant lesions including oral cancer. Looking at the tumorigenic nature of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT), which involves local invasion, proliferation, and recurrence, we hypothesized strong expression of FAK in the epithelial lining of KCOT.
  
  
  METHODS
  34 KCOTs, 11 orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts (OOCs), 25 radicular cysts (RCs), 17 dentigerous cysts (DCs), and 25 dental follicles (DFs) were retrieved from archives and subjected to the immunohistochemical analysis using FAK antibody.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In KCOT, strong expression was observed in 22 (62.8%) cases followed by weak and negative expression in 9 (25.71%) and 4 (11.4%) cases, respectively. Negative expression was seen in 7 (63.63%) cases of OOC, while 4 (36.36%) showed weak expression. In case of RC, 20 (80%) cases displayed negative expression and 4 (16%) and 1 (4%) cases showed weak and strong expressions, respectively. In case of DC, negative expression was seen in 14 (82.35%) cases and weak expression in 3 (17.64%) cases. DF was characterized by negative [21 (84%)] and weak expression [4 (16%)]. Nuclear expression of FAK was seen only in KCOT (11 cases). There was statistically significant higher FAK expression in KCOT as compared to OOC, RC, DC, and DF (P < 0.00001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FAK molecule could be an important player in tumorigenesis of KCOT and thus is a potential target for future drug development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Sachin C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sarode
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Gargi S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Sarode
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Shakira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choudhary
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Shankargouda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: focal adhesion kinase; invasion; keratinizing cystic odontogenic tumor; odontogenic keratocyst; proliferation