Reports of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

en Gal-3 Expression in Oral and Lip SCC: Histopathological Correlation via Immunohistochemistry زیست شناسی ملکولی Molecular Biology مقالات اصلی Original Article Background: Oral and lip squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) are malignancies among head and neck cancers. OSCC is characterized by aggressive behavior and poorer prognosis compared to other squamous cell carcinomas. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a multifunctional protein involved in processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. This study aims to evaluate and compare Gal-3 expression among groups to investigate its role in the biological behaviors of lip and oral SCCs. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of Gal-3 was performed on OSCC and lip SCC samples, with oral and lip marginal tissues obtained as the control group. The clinicopathological parameters, including the invasive front (IF), depth of invasion (DOI), and muscular, neural, and vascular invasions, were assessed. The staining percentage, intensity, and cellular location of Gal-3 were compared between the study groups. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Gal-3 staining percentages were significantly higher in the SCC groups compared to control groups (P< 0.001 for each). Staining intensity and nuclear staining were higher in OSCC than in lip SCC (P< 0.001, P< 0.010, respectively). Nuclear Gal-3 was notably associated with the presence of muscle invasion in OSCC (P=0.030). High IF status was correlated with Gal-3 expression in lip SCC (P=0.010). Staining intensity was significantly higher in OSCC samples with vascular invasion compared to those without (P= 0.016). Conclusion: The higher Gal-3 expression and nuclear staining in OSCC may explain its aggressive nature. Gal-3 could be a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker due to its increased expression in cancerous tissues compared to normal samples.   Depth of invasion, Galectin-3, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, Invasive front, Immunohistochemistry. 124 135 http://rbmb.net/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1760-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Negin Alahkhani 100319475328460022481 100319475328460022481 No Oral and Dental Diseases Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran. Farnaz Mohajertehran 100319475328460022482 100319475328460022482 No Dental Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Armaghan Salehi 100319475328460022483 100319475328460022483 No Student Research Committee, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Nooshin Mohtasham 100319475328460022484 100319475328460022484 No Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Abdollah Javan- Rashid 100319475328460022485 100319475328460022485 No School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Kambiz Kamyab hesari Kamyab@tums.ac.ir 100319475328460022486 100319475328460022486 Yes Department of Dermatopathology, Razi Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.