NİHAN AKSAKALLI
Turkish Journal of Oncology - 2022;37(3):329-336
OBJECTIVE Malignant transformation is suggested to be a consequence of alterations in cell cycle control, and this potential of oral lichen planus (OLP) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the malignant transformation of OLP comparing with normal oral mucosa (NOM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by immunohistochemistry. METHODS Bcl-2 and p53 expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry in 100 oral mucosal biopsies including NOM (n=20), OLP (n=40) and OSCC (n=40). RESULTS There were no significant differences in p53 and bcl-2 expressions between OLP and OSCC cases. However, p53 expression was higher in OLP and OSCC compared to normal epithelium (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that changes in proteins responsible for cell proliferation and apoptosis may play a role in the possible malignant transformation of OLP, but other molecular mechanisms involved in the cell cycle may also have an impact on the development of oral carcinogenesis. Therefore, long-term follow-up of patients with OLP with an accurate final diagnosis to be made by clinicopathological correlation, further research is needed to identify markers and independent risk factors that predict malignant transformation of OLP.
