Research article

Cellular profile of the peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate in squamous cells carcinoma of oral mucosa: Correlation with the expression of Ki67 and histologic grading

Fabricio LD Vieira¹ , Beatriz J Vieira^2,3,4 , Marco AM Guimaraes⁵ and Fernando M Aarestrup^6,7

¹UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil, Dom André Arcoverde Foundation, Valença/RJ, Brazil

²Dom André Arcoverde Foundation, Valença/RJ, Brazil

³Laboratory of Immunopathology and Experimental Pathology-CBR UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG Brazil

⁴Dentistry School of UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG Brazil

⁵UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil

⁶Laboratory of Immunopathology and Experimental Pathology-CBR UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG Brazil

⁷Dentistry School of UFJF, Juiz de Fora, MG Brazil, Dom André Arcoverde Foundation,Valença/RJ, Brazil

author email corresponding author email

BMC Oral Health 2008, 8:25doi:10.1186/1472-6831-8-25

Published:	2 September 2008

Abstract

Background

Squamous cells carcinoma is the most important malignant tumor with primary site in the oral cavity and, given the great exposure of mucosa and lips to the etiologic factors of this neoplasm, its incidence is high. Investigation of the prognostic determinants is significant for the expectations of treatment proposal and cure of the patient. The local immune response represented by peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate is a possible prognostic factor.

Methods

In this study, oral mucosa samples of squamous cells carcinoma were analyzed, separated according to their histological classification as well as the phenotypical profile of the cells comprising the peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate was investigated by immunohistochemical method, in addiction, the cell proliferation index via protein Ki67 expression was determinated.

Results

The T lymphocytes made up most of this inflammatory infiltrate, and among these cells, there was a predominance of T CD8 lymphocytes relative to the T CD4 lymphocytes. The B lymhocytes were the second most visualized leucocyte cell type followed by macrophages and neutrophils. The immunohistochemical assessment of Ki-67 positive cells revealed a greater expression of this protein in samples of undifferentiated squamous cells carcinoma.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the cellular immune response is the main defense mechanism in squamous cells carcinoma of oral mucosa, expressed by the large number of T lymphocytes and macrophages, and that the greatest intensity of local response may be associated with the best prognosis.