Collagen iv and invasion and differentiation degree of oral malignancies

In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 32 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) cases were analized utilizing rutine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and indirect immunohistochemistry detection of Collagen IV (Col IV) at the basal lamina level. The aim of the study was to determine the molecular and morphological association between Col IV expression and the invasion and differentiation degree of the tumor. Col IV expression was analized in terms of basal lamina alterations of continuity. Degree of differentiation of the tumor was analized using the International Histological Classification of Tumors, and for the invasion degree, the Brynes Invasive Tumor Front (ITF) system was utilized.
Col IV expression was classified in three categories: continuous, discontinuous and absent. Differentiation degree was classified as well differentiated, moderately differentiated and indifferentiated. ITF analysis considered the queratinization degree, nuclear and cellular pleomorphism, local immune response and invasion pattern.
Chi square test failed to determine statistical significance in the association between Col IV expression and differentiation degree, total ITF score, invasion pattern, queratinization degree and local immune response. A statistically significant association was found between Col IV expression and Nuclear and Cellular Pleomorphism.