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CD44+/CD133+ immunophenotype and matrix metalloproteinase-9: Influence on prognosis in early-stage oral squamous cell
Lucinei R Oliveira1, Andrielle Castilho-Fernandes, João Paulo Oliveira-Costa
1Vale do Rio Verde University (UninCor), Tres Coraçoes, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of CD44 and/or CD133 immunophenotypes and the associated effects of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) to assess their influence on tumor prognosis.
Methods:
The following data were derived from 150 patients: age, sex, primary anatomic site, smoking status, alcohol intake, recurrence, metastases, histological classification, treatment, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Immunohistochemical study of CD44, CD133, and MMP-9 expression was performed on a tissue microarray of 150 paraffin blocks of oral SCCs.
Results:
The predominant immunophenotype identified to exhibit a significant correlation with MMP-9 was the CD44+/CD133+. Multivariate analyses identified a significant correlation of OS with surgical treatment and with CD44+/CD133+ immunophenotype.
Conclusion:
This investigation demonstrated the prognostic importance of CD44/CD133 expression, which can help improve the prognostic value of surgical treatment for oral SCCs when diagnosed in early stages.

