A study on Ki-67 labeling index in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Proliferative index is a measure of the number of cells in a tumour that are actually dividing (proliferating). The proliferative activity of any tissue or neoplasm can be determined by its growth rate using antibodies directed against specific antigens like KI-67. Objective: This study is conducted to correlate cell proliferation in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) measured by anti-KI67 monoclonal antibody, thus determining its growth rate and to correlate KI-67 expression with histopathological grading and staging.Method:Radical neck dissection specimen histopathologically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma with different grading and staging were followed by anti-KI 67 monoclonal antibody IHC study.Result: The mean ki-67index in tumor center of well differentiated SCC (n=36), moderately differentiated SCC (n=21) and poorly differentiated SCC (n=3) were 29.6%, 30.4% and 26.8% respectively. The mean ki-67 index in proliferating margin of well differentiated SCC, moderately differentiated SCC and poorly differentiated SCC were 43.2%, 53.4% and 64.6% respectively.Conclusion: The findings of the present study strongly argue for the value of highly expressed Ki-67 as an independent prognostic marker for OSCC.