Immunohistochemical expression of DNA methyltransferases 1, 3a and 3b in oral leukoplakias and squamous cell carcinomas

Over-expression of DNA methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b has been reported in various cancers and precancerous lesions.ObjectiveTo investigate DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b enzymes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and leukoplakia, and their relationship with histopathologic/clinical parameters.Study designImmunohistochemistry was carried out to evaluate the three DNMTs in 60 samples of oral SCC and 37 samples of oral leukoplakia.ResultsDNMT3a immunoreactivity in the three groups of oral SCC (39.8%) was significantly higher than in control (22.6%) (ANOVA, Student–Newman–Keuls test, P < 0.05), but not when compared to oral leukoplakia groups (28.2%). For DNMT1 and DNMT3b, there were no statistically significant differences between oral SCC groups (65% and 74.7%), oral leukoplakia groups (68.3% and 70.9%) and control (65.4% and 76.5%). There was a significantly higher mean percentage of DNMT1 immunoreactivity in non-smokers (ANOVA, P = 0.048), and a higher DNMT3a immunoreactivity in alcohol users (ANOVA, P = 0.01).ConclusionsHigher DNMT3a immunopositivity may be associated with oral SCC and alcohol use, whilst lower levels of DNMT1 may be related with smoking habit. However, there was a significantly higher mean percentage of DNMT1 immunoreactivity in non-smokers (ANOVA, P = 0.048), and a higher DNMT3a immunoreactivity in alcohol users (ANOVA, P = 0.010).