Expression of the antiapoptotic survivin in the adenomatoid odontogenic tumors

Background: Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is an uncommon benign epithelial odontogenic tumor. Expert morphological diagnosis is required to establish differential diagnosis, in particular from ameloblastoma, thus preventing extensive surgery. Objective: To clarify the histopathological features of AOT, as well as to assess the immunohistochemical expression of survivin in AOT. Material and methods: Ten specimens of AOT, and one specimen of tooth germ as a control were collected from the archival files of Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Egypt. The expression of survivin was assessed by immunohistochemical methods. Results: Our results revealed that all the cases of AOT, as well as the tooth germ were immunoreactive to survivin. Conclusion: The expression of survivin in AOT, suggested that the family protein survivin contributes to the biological properties of AOT, such as cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and tissue structuring, as well as cellular regulation during tooth development.