Malignant transformation is suggested to be a consequence of alterations in cell cycle control, and this potential of oral lichen planus (OLP) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the malignant transformation of OLP comparing with normal oral mucosa (NOM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by immunohistochemistry.
METHODS
Bcl-2 and p53 expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry in 100 oral mucosal biopsies
including NOM (n=20), OLP (n=40) and OSCC (n=40).
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in p53 and bcl-2 expressions between OLP and OSCC cases. However,
p53 expression was higher in OLP and OSCC compared to normal epithelium (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that changes in proteins responsible for cell proliferation and apoptosis
may play a role in the possible malignant transformation of OLP, but other molecular mechanisms involved
in the cell cycle may also have an impact on the development of oral carcinogenesis. Therefore,
long-term follow-up of patients with OLP with an accurate final diagnosis to be made by clinicopathological
correlation, further research is needed to identify markers and independent risk factors that
predict malignant transformation of OLP.