RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of angiopoietins in oral squamous cell carcinoma and relationship between the expression of angiopoietins and pathologic classification. METHODS: The expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 protein in samples from 42 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 16 oral normal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: The expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 was found in both oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal control. It was found Ang-1 expression alike in oral squamous cell carcinoma and control (P > 0.05). Ang-2 expressed at low level in control while strongly positive in oral squamous cell caroinoma and the level of Ang-2 expression in oral squamous cell caroinoma was related to pathologic classification (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ang-2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma is related to angiogenesis and pathological classification, which is probably involved in angiogenesis regulation, promotes the development and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
