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Immunohistochemical study of the expression of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta in oral squamous cell carcinoma
K Bhalang1, A H Kafrawy, D A Miles
1Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, USA.
Background:
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone comprised of two dissimilar subunits (alpha and beta) 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 hCGbeta using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical technique.
Results:
hCGbeta 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 hCGbeta 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%). hCGbeta immunoreactivity could not be demonstrated in any of the oral fibromas.
Conclusions:
The presence of hCGbeta positive tumor cells appears potentially to reflect a malignant behavior of OSCC.