Immunohistochemical study of the expression of human chorionic gonadotropin‐β in oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Cancer 1999-02, Vol.85 (4), p.757-762
• Main Authors: Bhalang, Kanokporn, Kafrawy, Abdel H., Miles, Dale A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - analysis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - chemistry; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human - analysis; human chorionic gonadotropin; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Medical sciences; Mouth; Mouth Neoplasms - chemistry; oral carcinoma; oral squamous cell carcinoma; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prognosis; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19990215)85:4<757::AID-CNCR1>3.0.CO;2-T

BACKGROUND Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone comprised of two dissimilar subunits (α and β) and normally is synthesized by trophoblastic tissue. Although hCG expression has been identified in a variety of neoplastic tissues, to the authors' knowledge no investigation has centered on tumors of oral origin. METHODS Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) were studied in comparison with oral fibromas for the presence of hCGβ using the avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS hCGβ immunoreactivity was identified in 29 of 45 OSCC (64%). The positively staining cells in each tumor specimen were few (range, 0.5‐5%) and were scattered throughout the tumor. When tumors were classified according to grade, it was found that hCGβ staining was positive in 5 of 15 well differentiated OSCC (33%), in 12 of 15 moderately differentiated OSCC (80%), and in 12 of 15 moderately to poorly differentiated OSCC (80%). hCGβ immunoreactivity could not be demonstrated in any of the oral fibromas. CONCLUSIONS The presence of hCGβ positive tumor cells appears potentially to reflect a malignant behavior of OSCC. Cancer 1999;85:757–62. © 1999 American Cancer Society. Human chorionic gonadotropin‐β (hCGβ) was immunohistochemically detected in 64% of oral squamous cell carcinoma cases. The presence of hCGβ immunoreactive cells may reflect a potentially higher malignant behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma.