Podoplanin expression in various types of oral dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the roles of podoplanin (PDPN) as a marker associated with malignant development, progression, and poor prognosis in oral leukoplakia and various forms of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), particularly in relation to the extent of invasion. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of PDPN was conducted on 77 histologically confirmed, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples representing various degrees of OSCC invasion and dysplasia grades. Results: The samples were analyzed with Fisher’s exact test and the Kruskale Wallis test. Significant associations between sample type and the intensity, percentage, distribution, location, inflammation, and lymphatic vessel involvement according to staining were observed (p < 0.05). The PDPN staining score progressively increased from mild dysplasia to carcinoma in situ within the dysplasia classification, whereas in the OSCC classification, the highest overexpression was observed in the well-differentiated group. Conclusion: Early invasive OSCC exhibited more aggressive behavior than micro-invasive OSCC, although both were less aggressive than invasive OSCC. These findings may aid in improving prognostic accuracy and informing treatment strategies.