Immunohistochemical analysis of dentigerous cyst and ameloblastoma using cytokeratin 19 & 14, p53, p63 and ki-67

Abstract

Introduction: Odontogenic cysts and tumours constitute an important aspect of oral and maxillofacial pathology. Although they arise from the same odontogenic apparatus, they are distinct entities with different pathogenesis and differ considerably in their biological behavior in terms of aggression and capacity to spread (metastasis). This could be attributed to the nature of their epithelium and alteration in the cell cycle control. Hence this study is done to compare an odontogenic cyst dentigerous cyst (DC) and odontogenic tumor (Ameloblastoma) with a panel of immunohistochemical markers including cytokeratin (CK) 14 and 19, p53, p63, Ki67 to explain for the differences between the two. Materials and Methods: IHC was performed with the above mentioned markers with five cases each of DC and ameloblastoma. Results: The mean scores of each of the marker used were found to be significantly higher in ameloblastoma in comparison to DC. Conclusion: The study confirms that considerable difference exists between these two lesions in terms of their clinical characters and biologic behavior. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis with the combination of the markers used in this study may be useful in differentiating DC and ameloblastoma.

Keywords

• immunohistochemistry
• dentigerous cyst
• ameloblastoma
• cytokeratins
• p53
• p63
• ki-67