Oral and maxillofacial pathologyIncreased expression of CK8 and CK18 in leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemistry study

ObjectiveOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may be preceded by potentially malignant disorders such as leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and has a greater than normal risk of malignant transformation. Very little is known of cytokeratin (CK) alterations in OSF, leukoplakia, and OSCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the expression of CK8 and CK18 in normal oral mucosa, oral epithelial dysplasia, OSF, and OSCC by immunohistochemistry.Study DesignParaffin-embedded normal (n = 10), dysplasia (n = 10), OSF (n = 10), and OSCC (n = 10) tissues were stained with CK8 and CK18 by immunohistochemistry.ResultsIncreased expression of CK8 and CK18 was seen in dysplasia, OSF, and OSCC. Staining pattern and intensity showed variations, with intensity of staining in basal and suprabasal layers for CK8 and CK18.ConclusionsIntensity of staining in the basal layer for CK18 was statistical significant, suggesting CK8 and CK18 as surrogate markers of malignant transformation.