title: Immunohistochemistry of Five Molecular Markers for Typing and Management of Ameloblastomas: A Retrospective Analysis of 40 Cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study are to elucidate if molecular markers can be used to differentiate between the two main types of ameloblastoma (unicystic and solid/multicystic), and to determine whether a biologically 'less-aggressive' subtype exists.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 33 solid/multicystic ameloblastomas and six unicystic ameloblastomas was completed using immunohistochemistry for five molecular markers: P16, P53, MMP-9, Survivin, and Ki-67. Tumors were graded as either negative or positive (mild, moderate, strong), and the results were related to both ameloblastoma subtypes and outcomes following treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unicystic ameloblastomas were more likely to test strongly positive for P53 than solid/multicystic ameloblastomas (p< 0.05), whereas the latter were more likely to be negative for Survivin (p< 0.05). Solid/multicystic and Type 3 unicystic ameloblastomas that were positive for P16, but also negative for MMP-9 and Survivin, were less likely to recur than all other tumors (p< 0.05). The proliferation index of an ameloblastic carcinoma (11 %) was shown to be higher than benign ameloblastomas (4.5 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunohistochemistry can be valuable in lesions where histological sub-typing of an ameloblastoma is unclear. A biologically 'less-aggressive' subtype may exist, and hence further research into this area is required.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Office C/- 2 North, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050 Australia.|Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053 Australia.
authors.forename: Thasvir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053 Australia.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandu
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Dental School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053 Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.affiliation: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, VIC 3002 Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Angel
keywords: Ameloblastoma; Diagnosis; Markers; Outcome; P16