Pleomorphic adenoma of oral minor salivary glands: An investigation of its neoplastic potential based on apoptosis, mucosecretory activity and cellular proliferation

AbstractObjective m of this study was to investigate the neoplastic potential of the PA of minor oral salivary glands measured by apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax and p53), mucosecretory activity (MUC1), and cellular proliferation (Ki-67). -one cases of PA of the oral cavity and four controls (C) taken from normal oral minor salivary glands were analyzed using the immunohistochemistry technique. The proteins were detected utilizing a semi-quantitative method (scores) as follows: (−) negative ≤5%, (+) low 6–25%, (++) moderate 26–50% and (+++) high >50% of positive tumour cells. The apoptotic indices were evaluated by the ratio Bcl-2/Bax. Non-parametric comparison and correlation tests were used for analysis. s ta showed high staining of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in both groups (PA = 57.9%; C = 67.7%) and a significantly lower expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax (PA = 22.7%; C = 97.7%) and MUC1 (PA = 14%; C = 82.3%) in PA than in C (p < 0.001). On the other hand, a similar expression of Ki-67 and p53 proteins (≤5%) was seen in both PA and C. In PA, only 2/31 cases showed the ratio Bcl-2/Bax < 1.There was no difference in cellular expression with regard to clinical variables or clinical outcome (p > 0.05). sion oplastic potential of PA could be associated with an imbalance in apoptotic processes and a lower index of cellular proliferation. Mucosecretory activity does not play a significant role in primary PA.