HLA-G Expression is Associated with an Unfavorable Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Imani, Reza; Seyedmajidi, Maryam; Ghasemi, Nafiseh; Moslemi, Dariush; Shafaee, Shahryar; Bijani, Ali

doi:10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.9.2527

HLA-G Expression is Associated with an Unfavorable Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

² Dental Materials Research Center, Institue of Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

³ Department of Oncology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

⁴ Department of Pathology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

⁵ Non-Communicable Pediatrics Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institue, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.9.2527

Abstract

Background: HLA-G, a major histocompatibility complex of non-classical class Ib, plays a key role in the
development of the primary tumors to metastatic stages. The aim of this study was to investigate HLA-G expression in oral
squamous cell carcinomas and its relationship with clinicopathological factors. Methods: After immunohistochemical
staining for HLA-G with 63 formalin fixed and paraffin embedded blocks (33 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 30 normal
oral mucosa samples), staining intensity, percentage of stained cells and final immunoreactivity score were evaluated,
along with other variables. Results: Staining intensity, percentage of stained cells and final immunoreactivity scores in
oral squamous cell carcinomas were higher than those in normal oral mucosa (all P=0.001). The staining intensity in
the parenchyma of squamous cell carcinoma cells was significantly associated with the clinical tumor stage (P=0.022)
and the group with lymphatic metastasis exhibited a higher staining percentage (P=0.026). Staining intensity and
immunoreactivity score (IRS) exhibited a significant but inverse correlation with survival rate (P=0.004 and P=0.018,
respectively) and a significant direct relationship with clinical stage (P=0.001 and P=0.001). Conclusion: The results
supported a role of HLA-G in development of oral squamous cell carcinomas and metastasis to lymph nodes. It might
be useful in molecular-targeted therapy.

Keywords