Gal-3 Expression in Oral and Lip SCC: Histopathological Correlation via Immunohistochemistry

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). Conclusions 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.