The role of adhesion molecules in oral cancer

Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are mediated by adhesion molecules. By altering interactions between epithelial cells, extracellular matrix and leukocytes, changes in adhesion molecule expression can influence tumour development and metastasis. This study compared the adhesion molecule profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with normal buccal mucosa. The pattern of expression of adhesion molecules differed between normal epithelial cells and tumour cells, while leukocytes and endothelial cells adjacent to the tumour showed a pattern common to inflammatory sites. Aberrations in cell adhesion receptors on tumour cells may contribute to the unique biologic behaviour of individual tumours.