Evaluation of Immunohistochemical Expression of BCL-2 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: Immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of
Bcl-2 oncogene is helpful in characterization and prognosis
of oral cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the
immunoexpression of Bcl-2 oncogene in oral squamous
cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue specimen and correlated it
clinicohistopathologically.
Material and Method: A total of 42 OSCC tissue specimen
were subjected to evaluation for immunohistochemical
expression of Bcl-2 oncogene. IHC expression was scored as
“-” (<5% positive cells), + (5–24% positive cells), ++ (25–50%
positive cells) and +++ (>50% positive cells). Pathological T
stage, nodal status, histopathological grade, lymphovascular
invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI) and mitotic index (MI)
were noted. Data was analysed using SPSS 21 software.
Chi-square, ANOVA and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to
compare the data.
Results: Mean age of patients was 49.05 ± 13.28 years,
majority of them were males (83.3%). There was a dominance
of well/moderately differentiated (81%) cases. Lymphovascular
and perineural invasion were seen in 16.7% and 26.2% cases.
Majority had mitotic index 2 (66.7%), pT stage 3/4 (73.8%)
and no nodal involvement (54.8%). Bcl-2 expression was
seen in 34 (81%) specimen. It was +, ++ and +++ in 6 (14.3%),
15 (35.7%) and 13 (31.0%) cases. A significant correlation
of Bcl-2 expression was seen with higher histopathological
grades, mitotic index and pT stage. There was no correlation
of Bcl-2 expression with age, sex, LVI, PNI, MI and pN
status.
Conclusion: There was a high IHC expression of Bcl-2 oncogene
which was significantly associated with histopathological grade
and pT stage. Bcl-2 expression could have a prognostic value.