MCM 2 a novel marker in predicting recurrence and prognosis at negative surgical margins of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives: The treatment failure in Oral carcinoma patients is mainly due to recurrence leading to a poor prognosis. Genetically transformed cells in the adjacent mucosal area thought to be the reason for local recurrences and an invasive tumour front area is known to host the aggressive tumour cells. Hence, the study conducted to quantify and compare proliferative markers Ki-67 and MCM 2 antigens at the margins and invasive tumour front to predict recurrence and prognosis in Oral squamous cell carcinomas. Materials and method: The study involved paraffin tissue sections of 30 cases of recurrent, and 30 cases of non recurrent Oral squamous cell carcinomas were subjected to Immunohistochemical analysis at negative surgical margins and invasive tumour front (ITF). The mean labelling index (Li) of MCM 2 (Minichromosome Maintenance Protein 2) and Ki-67 was compared among the groups with ‘t’ test to predict the recurrence and overall survival by Kaplan-meier curve and Log-rank test survival estimate. Results: The Li of Ki-67 and MCM 2 were higher at negative margin and ITF of recurrent group compared to non recurrent OSCC group with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) only with MCM 2. Li of MCM 2 at margin and ITF was a better predictor of overall survival than Ki-67. The overall survival was significantly lower in 43.95 months with Li of MCM 2 more than 48.2 at margin. Conclusion: MCM 2 is a novel marker at negative margins in predicting the recurrence and survival of Oral squamous cell carcinoma.