Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: July 25, 2011
Cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
R E Alcalde1, S Shintani, Y Yoshihama
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery II, Okayama University Dental School, Japan.
Abstract:
Cell proliferation and vascularization play an important role in the metabolic functions of normal and malignant tissues. Tumor cell proliferation and density of microvessels (DM) in 33 specimens of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were assessed by immunohistochemical staining of proliferating nuclear cell antigen (PCNA) and JC/70A, respectively. Their staining patterns were compared to the clinicopathologic findings. The PCNA labeling index (LI) showed significantly higher values in advanced carcinomas (T3 and T4) (mean, 20.19 +/- 12.79) than in early carcinomas (T1 and T2) (mean, 9.58 +/- 4.01; P < 0.01). The DM (mean, 105.92 +/- 22.65) and PCNA LI (mean, 25.69 +/- 13.32) of tumors with lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than in tumors without nodal involvement (DM, mean, 72.6 +/- 24.30; P < 0.01) (PCNA LI, mean, 10.25 +/- 3.99; P < 0.001). Marginal DM values were significantly correlated and directly proportional to the mode of tumor invasion. Evaluation of PCNA and DM at the periphery of the tumor may help to identify oral SCC that have higher malignant potential.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

