Predictive value of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and laminin-5 for clinicopathologic oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) staging and grading in Iranian population

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) constitutes the main oral malignancy. Parallel to better understanding of molecular and genetic patterns of tumor behavior, more precise correlation of tumor markers such as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Laminin-5 are sought to estimate macroscopic and microscopic tumor status. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study collecting oral SCC samples during 2006-2007 from Pathology Department of Shahid Beheshti Dental School. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against EGFR and laminin-5 along with staining degree were reported by two experienced pathologist including degree of staining (low, medium, high), and pathological grading and clinical staging obtained from medical records. Results: Forty two patients' paraffin blocks of SCC examined with mean age 58( 18.72) yrs ranged between 21-88, female to male ratio of 1.33:1 was observed. The study analyses revealed a significant correlation between the expression of laminin-5 with tumor stage and grade (P< 0.001 r=0.547 and r=0.545 respectively), yet no significant correlation between expression of EGFR and tumor stage or grade (P=0.894 r=-0.018 and P=0.543 r=0.86 respectively). Considering high degree of staining and stage IV; sensitivity, specifity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 44%, 54%, 44% and 78% calculated for ERGF and 55%, 78%, 58% and 86% for laminin-5 respectively. Considering high degree of staining and grade 3; sensitivity, specifity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 57%, 57%,17% and 86% calculated for EGFR and 85%, %82, 50% and 96% for Laminin-5 respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that laminin-5 has a better prediction for developing higher tumor stage or grade but further research needed for identifying the precise role of EGFR.