Immunoexpression of the Twist and E-caderin Proteins in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Lower Lip.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell. Immunohistochemistry. Twist Transcription Factors. Cadherins. Prognosis.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignancy of the Oral cavity. Squamous cell carcinoma of the lip (SCCL) is the most common malignant lesion of the oral cavity, constituting approximately 30% of all oral cavity cancer cases in the mouth. Occurring more frequently in the lower lip (SCCLL) in about 80% of cases and results mainly from chronic exposure to lightning ultraviolet solar, especially the UVB associated with outdoor activities. Studies have pointed out that overexpression of twist protein is reported in a wide variety of tumors, presenting important role in tumor progression and metastasis. Its high expression is related to the low regulation of E-cadherin and the induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a biological process that allows a polarized epithelial cell to undergo biochemical, molecular and morphological changes, which generate the acquisition of a mesenchymal cell phenotype, whose migration ability, invasion, resistance to apoptosis increases substantially. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the immunostaining of twist and E-cadherin proteins in the development and progression of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip, evaluating possible associations with the clinical staging system, histopathological grading of malignancy, relapse rate and survival of patients.