P-Cadherin and WNT5A expression in assessment of lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Oral cancer progression is a multi-step process in which adhesion molecules play a pivotal role in the development of recurrent, invasive, and distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to adopt prognostic biomarkers to assess the lymph node metastasis of OSCC that will facilitate in deciding the treatment modality by the surgeons.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the biological behaviour of OSCC by correlating the expression levels of P-Cadherin and WNT5A immunohistochemically.

Methods: A total of 60 selected OSCCs cases (lymph node metastasis n = 30, non-metastatic n = 30) and 10 normal healthy controls were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed by immunohistochemistry for P-Cadherin and WNT5A. A survival analysis was also performed.

Results: The expression levels of P-Cadherin and WNT5A in OSCC groups were statistically significant between metastatic and non-metastatic groups (p < 0.001). P-Cadherin and WNT5A expression in metastatic (lymph node metastasis) and non-metastatic cases showed a significant correlation coefficient of 0.753 at (p < 0.01). The present study also found that the aberrant expression (high) of P-Cadherin was associated with diminished survival of patients with metastatic OSCC.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the aberrant expression of P-Cadherin and WNT5A could serve as important prognosticator in OSCC.

Clinical relevance: P-Cadherin and WNT5A could be used as significant predictors of disease outcome.