Expression of VEGF in the normal and dysplastic mucous membranes and SCC using immunohistochemistry

AbstractIntroduction: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) emerges from a dysplastic epithelial surface and comprises about 90% of head and neck cancers. VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is one of the growth factors which directly affects vascular endothelial cells and evokes proliferation, migration and chemotaxis of endothelial cells. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare VEGF expression in the normal and dysplastic oral mucosa and in SCC. Materials and methods: In this analytical-descriptive study, 20 normal mucosa, 20 dysplastic mucosa, and 20 SCC samples, which had been fixed with formalin and embedded in paraffin, were evaluated for expression of VEGF, using immunohistochemical technique and standard biotin streptavidin method. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests at 95% confidence interval (α=0.05).Results: Means of VEFG expression were significantly higher in SCC samples compared to dysplastic samples (p value = 0.024). In addition, VEGF expression in SCC samples was higher than that in the normal samples (p value = 0.001). However, there was no significant relationship between the expression of VEFG in the dysplastic and normal mucosa samples (p value = 0.108).Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, there is an increase in the expression of VEGF during transition from normal mucosa to dysplastic mucosa to SCC.Key words: Carcinoma, Oral mucosa, Squamous Cell, Vascular endothelial growth factor