
Expression of CXCR-4 and CD 133 and it’s Correlation with Prognostic Pathologic Factors in Resectable Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Research Protocol
EK01-EK04
Correspondence
Nirlipta Swain,
Junior Resident, Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: nirliptaswain16@gmail.com
Introduction: Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), known for their self-renewal and resistance to therapy, drive tumour progression, metastasis, and recurrence. Markers such as Cluster of Differentiation 133 (CD133) and CXC Chemokine Receptor-4 (CXCR-4) are linked to poor prognosis in cancers, including Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). CD133 promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and chemoresistance, while CXCR-4 enhances invasion via CXCL12 signalling. Their co-expression exacerbates outcomes; however, region-specific data, particularly from high-incidence areas like India, remain scarce.
Need of the study: The expression and prognostic correlation of CXCR-4 and CD133 in resectable OSCC enhance early detection, assess tumour aggressiveness, and may identify potential therapeutic targets.
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CXCR-4 and CD133 in resectable OSCC and analyse their correlation with key prognostic pathological factors, including tumour grade, tumour size (T-stage), Depth of Invasion (DOI), Lymphovascular Invasion (LVI), Perineural Invasion (PNI), lymph node metastasis (N-stage), and Lymph node metastasis and surgical margin status.
Materials and Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study will be conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, DMIHER. Seventy-five OSCC tissue samples will undergo immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies against CXCR-4 and CD133. The expression levels of these markers will be assessed semi-quantitatively. Subsequently, their correlation with key prognostic pathological factors will be analysed. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS version 27.0, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.