Association of Toll-like receptors 3, 4, 9 expression with clinicopathological features in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 3, 4, and 9 in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and their associations with clinicopathological parameters.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Fifty-three patients diagnosed with oral cavity SCC between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining for TLR-3, TLR-4, and TLR-9 was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues. Expression was assessed based on staining intensity, staining status and percentage of positive tumor cells (prevalence). Associations with tumor stage (T, N, TNM), depth of invasion (DOI), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion (PNI), extranodal extension (ENE), histological grade, recurrence, and survival status were evaluated statistically.

RESULTS

No statistically significant correlations were found between TLR-3, TLR-4, or TLR-9 expression and any of the examined clinicopathological features (p > 0.05). Although an increasing trend in DOI was observed with stronger TLR-3 and TLR-4 staining, the results were not statistically significant.

DISCUSSION: This study did not establish a clear prognostic role for TLR-3, TLR-4, or TLR-9 in oral cavity SCC. However, the findings highlight the biological complexity of TLR-mediated pathways in cancer. Further large-scale, multi-institutional studies are necessary to better understand the clinical relevance of TLRs in oral carcinogenesis.