BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation of P53 and granzyme B (GB) expression, and also the relationship between P53 expression and GB⁺ cell density with lymph node metastasis, histologic grade, and inflammation intensity in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
METHODS: Immunohistochemical technique with P53 and GB antibodies were performed on stored paraffin blocks from 48 patients with OSCC (with lymph node metastasis n=24; without lymph node metastasis n=24). The density of GB expression was quantified both in invasive front (peritumoral) and within cancer nests (intratumoral).
RESULTS: P53 positivity was seen in 13 (54.16%) cases of the nonmetastatic group and 14 cases (58.3%) in the metastatic group. A significant correlation was seen between P53 immunoexpression and histologic grade (P=0.047), but there was no significant correlation between P53 expression with lymph node metastasis and inflammation intensity. The density of GB⁺ cells in the peritumoral zone correlates with a higher intratumoral GB expression (P=0.001) and was significantly higher in the nonmetastatic group (P=0.029). No significant correlation between GB and P53 immunoexpression, lymph node metastasis, or inflammation intensity was seen.
CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the presence of a higher density of GB⁺ cells infiltrating the peritumoral area may have an important role against tumoral cells, prevent lymph node metastasis, and better prognosis in OSCC patients.