Pemphigus vulgaris with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: An uncommon association

Abstract

Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering disease wherein, many keratinocyte adhesion molecules (desmogleins) are targets of circulating autoantibodies like anti desmoglein 3 (DSG3) and desmoglein 1 (DSG1) antibodies. DSG3 appears to be of primary importance in maintaining the integrity of oral epithelium. It is targeted in pemphigus vulgaris and paraneoplastic pemphigus with severe oral involvement. DSG1, on the other hand is essential for the integrity of non-mucosal skin surface. Recent studies have shown that desmosomes are not merely static structures but may also play an important role in the regulation of cell-proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Thus, desmosomes have a potential role in cancer development can be hypothesized. Cases of PV with systemic malignancies have been reported frequently but PV with cancers of oral cavity and tongue are rarely reported. The link between PV and malignancy still needs to be elucidated. We report a 35-year-old man with PV in whom Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the tongue developed subsequently. We tried to explore the role of antidesmosomal antibodies for association of these two conditions with the help of the available literature.

Keywords

• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Squamous cell carcinoma of tongue
• Desmosomes