A comparative analysis of CDK1 expression in normal mucosa, oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell...

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for about 90% of oral malignancies, with a higher occurrence among males than females. Use of molecular biomarkers acts as a reliable predictor of tumour aggressiveness. CDK1 modulates the centrosome cycle and mitotic onset, promoting G2-M transition and regulation of G1-S transition associated with multiple interphase cyclins. Inhibiting CDK1 and its substrates could increase the efficacy of OSCC treatment by overcoming immune or apoptotic resistance.

To compare the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of CDK1 in normal mucosa (NOM), oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), OSCC, to assess the prognostic value of CDK1 in OSCC and to compare and correlate those three groups.

This study includes 55 cases, which consist of 20 cases of OSCC, 20 cases of OED and 15 cases of NOM, which were retrieved from the archives of our department and were subjected to IHC staining. The Mann-Whitney test was utilised to find out the association among the categorical variables. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the continuous parameters between three groups.

On IHC analysis, CDK1 expression was found to be 80% positive in the OED group, 85% in the OSCC group, and negative in the NOM group. Negative CDK1 expression was seen in NOM.

CDK1 can be used as a predictor in the prognosis of OSCC and determine the degree of malignancy at an early stage of OSCC. Targeting CDK1 interacting proteins and their signalling pathways produces less toxicity in treating oral carcinogenesis.