IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF MMP9 IN DIFFERENT GRADES OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: OUR EXPERIENCE AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Introduction: Oral carcinoma is amongst the leading malignancies worldwide, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as the most common type accounting for over 90% of cases. In OSCC, MMPs, (MMP9) which belongs to gelatinase group, promote tumor progression by new blood vessel formation, disturbing tissue morphology which allows tumor growth breaks the basement membrane and enables metastasis and it’s overexpression in OSCC have prognostic value. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the expression of MMP 9 in different grades of OSCC. Material and Methods: In this prospective study, a total number of 30 blocks specimens; 10 of each well, moderately, poorly differentiated were stained with MMP9 antibodies and compared with normal oral mucosa. All the data were documented and analyzed with SPSS 20 version software. Results: Normal 10 tissues with a mean age of 31.30 years and 30 OSCC patients of 51.93 years mean age were studied. In OSCC, 18 male (60%) and 12 female (40%) were participated. Among them, 8% smoking, 15% chewing and 7% both habits were revealed. With the X² test, it was revealed that MMP9 in different grades of OSCC was found statistically significant. (P<0.05) in accordance with increasing order of dysplasia. Conclusion: Evaluation of MMP9 expression could be a prognostic marker in OSCC and can be used for cancer biotherapeutics. Which may improve the treatment protocol and prognosis of the patient.