Immunoexpression of human leukocyte antigen-DR in actinic cheilitis and lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Brazilian oral research Vol. 33; p. e085
• Main Authors: Sena, Luana Samara Balduíno de, Santos, Hellen Bandeira de Pontes, Amaral, Marina Gonçalves do, Gordón-Núñez, Manuel Antonio, Alves, Pollianna Muniz, Nonaka, Cassiano Francisco Weege
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica - SBPqO 01-01-2019; Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica
• Subjects: Actinic Cheilitis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; HLA-DR Antigens; Immunohistochemistry; Lip; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Immunohistochemistry; Lip; HLA-DR Antigens; Actinic Cheilitis
• ISSN: 1806-8324; 1807-3107; 1807-3107
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107BOR-2019.VOL33.0085

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) in actinic cheilitis (AC) and lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC), and to correlate the findings with clinical (tumor size/extent, regional lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage) and histopathological (grade of epithelial dysplasia and inflammatory infiltrate for AC and histopathological grade of malignancy for LLSCC) parameters. Twenty-four AC and 48 LLSCC cases (24 with regional nodal metastasis and 24 without regional nodal metastasis) were selected. The scores of immunopositive cells for HLA-DR in the epithelial component of the lesions were assessed and the results were analyzed statistically using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. Epithelial expression of HLA-DR was observed in only five (20.8%) cases of AC (two low-grade and three high-grade lesions), with a very low median score of immunopositivity. By contrast, expression of HLA-DR was found in most LLSCC (97.9%), with a relatively high median score of positive cells. The score of HLA-DR-positive cells tended to be higher in tumors with regional lymph node metastasis, tumors in advanced clinical stages, and low-grade tumors, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In addition, there was a tendency towards higher expression of HLA-DR in highly/moderately keratinized tumors, and tumors with little/moderate nuclear pleomorphism (p > 0.05). The results suggest a potential role of HLA-DR in lip carcinogenesis, particularly in the development and progression of LLSCC. The expression of this protein can be related to the degree of cell differentiation in these tumors.