Evaluation of the p-AKT, p-JNK and FoxO3a function in the oral epithelial dysplasia malignance

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the expression of p-AKT, p-JNK, FoxO3a and KI-67 in samples of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and Oral Epithelial Dysplasias (OEDs) to understand their possible involvement in the malignant transformation process of oral lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue samples of 20 cases of OSCCs, 20 OEDs and normal oral mucosa were subjected to immunohistochemistry reactions for anti-p-Akt, anti-p-JNK, anti-FoxO3a and anti-Ki-67 antibodies. It was analyzed quantitative (number of immunostained cells) and qualitative (immunostaining intensity) parameters in different cell immunostaining sublocations. RESULTS: Nuclear p-AKT was observed significantly greater immunostaining in OSCC (21.2 ± 19.0) than in dysplasias (7.9 ± 8.1) and control (1.8 ± 4.7) (p = 0.002). Immunostaining of strong nuclear p-JNK was greater in controls (48.3 ± 13.7) than in OEDs (11.0 ± 10.3) and OSCCs (1.1 ± 1.3) (p<0.001). Strong nuclear immunostaining of FoxO3a proved to be absent in OSCCs (0.0 ± 0.1) with little staining on dysplasias (3.2 ± 5.4) and increased expression in controls (13.5 ± 4.8) (p<0.001). Immunostaining of strong nuclear ki-67 was grater in OSCCs (48.1±49.6) than in OED (11.8±10.6) and controls (1.9±2.0) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Malignant process of OEDs in this research may involve the same mechanisms of established malignant lesions.