The molecular markers for prognostic evaluation of areca-associated buccal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is the most frequently occurring oral cancer in Asians due to the popularity of areca use in this area. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival of areca-associated BSCC associated with multiple molecular markers. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the survival of a cohort of 55 patients with BSCC being followed long term, as correlated to the expression of variable markers. RESULTS: We found that p53, p21, Rb, cyclin D1 (CCD1), MDM2, and gamma-catenin were positive in 81, 60, 70, 31, 88, and 44% of patients, respectively. Subjects with -ve immunoreactivity for CCD1, and +ve immunoreactivity for MDM2 and gamma-catenin had significantly better survival than subjects with the opposite immunoreactive pattern. Kaplan-Meier survival curves confirmed this association. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that expression of CCD1, MDM2, and gamma-catenin might serve as potential prognostic markers for BSCC in areca-using patients.