Expression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Cancer: An Observational Study

Background Epithelial-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) has evolved as a possible pathway in pathophysiology of tumor formation and progression; however, contribution of this phenomenon in human cancers especially oral malignancy lack sufficient evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of EMT markers E-cadherin and N-cadherin and their correlation with clinicopathological factors in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Cancer (OSCC). Methods This observational study was conducted on hundred histologically proven cases of OSCC based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The expression level of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin) on these cases was performed and evaluated using Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin was analysed and correlated with clinical and histopathological factors using appropriate statistical methods. Results Epithelial markers E-cadherin and N-cadherin were expressed in 18 (18%) and 58 (58%). Reduced expression of E-cadherin was observed in 82 (82%) patients. Significant association of N-Cadherin with clinical T-stage (p = 0.001) and clinical N-stage (p = 0.041) was observed. Pathological factors such as tumour size (p = 0.016), DOI (p = 0.001), pathological T-stage (p = 0.005) and stage (p = 0.017) showed statistically significant association with N-cadherin expression. Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of EMT in the pathogenesis of OSCC. The use of biomarkers like E-Cadherin, N-cadherin might serve as valuable tool for developing targeted therapy in near future limiting invasion and metastasis in OSCC.