ORAL CARCINOGENESIS BIOMARKERS IN ORAL CHRONIC MECHANICAL IRRITATION-ASSOCIATED LESIONS

Previous works have shown clinical data suggesting that chronic mechanical irritation (CMI) could be a risk factor for oral cancer (OC). However, there are no known patterns of biomarkers in CMI indicative of cellular malignancy. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify a biomarker pattern of differentiation (Ck19) and cell proliferation (Ki67) in CMI-associated lesions similar to those observed in OC. Study Design: A cross-sectional study with adult patients (n = 61) of both sexes with lesions associated with CMI and with oral cancer were included. CK19 and Ki67 immunohistochemistry were carried out in specimens of both types of lesions, and the patterns were described according to previous publications. The present study was approved by Ethics Committee of the College of Dentistry, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Results: Ki67 overexpression and a CK19 focal pattern with strong intensity in basal and parabasal cells were observed in CMI lesions, similar to that observed in OC. Conclusion:There is no scientific literature on biomarker patterns of oral CMI. Therefore, the described pattern, particularly Ck19, is novel and could be indicative of the relation between CMI and oral carcinogenesis.