METHODS: Seventeen cases each of SSCC, OSCC, NOM, and NS were evaluated. Each section was immunohistochemically stained with a rabbit polyclonal TIG3 antibody. The entire procedure was blinded and evaluated by 5 observers. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test.
RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in TIG3 protein expression in OSCC and SSCC compared with that in NOM and NS (P = 0.008). The progressive loss of expression was observed as the grade of both malignancies increased. However, there was no significant difference in the expression among the normal tissue groups and within SCC groups of similar grades.
CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the loss of TIG3 is an important event in carcinogenesis. TIG3 acts as a regulator of keratinocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation. Therefore, TIG3 could be a potential biomarker to differentiate aggressive and non-aggressive neoplasms.