THE EXPRESSION OF CYCLIN D1 PROTEIN IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA USINGIMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUE

Abstract: Background & Aims Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Despite major advancement in cancer diagnosis and treatments, survival rate has not significantly improved over the past few decades. Our ability to make prognosis of advanced cases of HNSCC is especially poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of cyclin D1 protein in HNSCC by immunochemical study. Methods: The standard biotin streptavidine peroxidase immunochemical staining method was used to study the expression of cyclin D1 on formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks of 42 cases of HNSCC and 25 cases of normal mucosal epithelium. Results: A total of 42 cases of HNSCC were compared with 25 cases of normal mucosal epithelium. Positive expression of cyclin D1 was seen in 66.3% of cases and also more positive immunoreactivity was seen in grade 2 HNSCC. Positive correlation between overexpression of cyclinD1 and more aggressive phenotype of HNSCC also was evident. There was a significant difference between tumor site and grading with more aggressive phenotype of HNSCC. Conclusion: We suggest that immunohistochemistry for cyclin D1 is reliable in identifying the phenotype of more aggressive HNSCC cases with poor outcome. Keywords: Carcinoma, Squamous cell of head and neck, cyclin D1