Androgen Receptor as a Biomarker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression Risk

Abstract

Background/Aim: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a cancer with poor prognosis due to therapy resistance, locoregional recurrences, and distant metastases. There is on increased interest in profiling the androgen receptor (AR) in cancer biology. The aim of this study was to compare AR and Ki-67 levels in the neoplastic epithelium and stroma between non-metastatic and metastatic stages of OSCC. Patients and Methods: Tissue specimens of 101 non-metastatic and 95 metastatic OSCC patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: More than 20% of AR-positive cytoplasmic staining of OSCC epithelium was significantly associated with nuclear AR levels in the epithelium and increased AR levels in the stroma. In metastatic OSCC patients, Ki-67 was significantly higher than in non-metastatic OSCC patients. Conclusion: More than 20% of AR-positive cytoplasmic staining in neoplastic OSSC epithelium is a significant predictor of OSCC progression risk.