Differential expression of organic cation transporter 3 in oral submucous fibrosis-associated buccal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the expression of organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF)-associated buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) and to explore its clinical significance.

STUDY DESIGN: A total of 56 tissue specimens were collected from patients, among which there were 13 specimens with normal buccal mucosa (NBM), 13 with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), 10 with OSF-associated BSCC (BSCC-OSF), 10 with well-differentiated BSCC (BSCC-I), and 10 with poorly to moderately differentiated BSCC (BSCC-II+III), based on pathologic examination. The expression of OCT3 was detected by using immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference in both the protein and mRNA expression levels of OCT3 among the NBM, OSF, BSCC-OSF, BSCC-I, and BSCC-II+III groups (protein: F = 82.45 [P < .0001]; mRNA: F = 50.69 [P < .0001]). The expression of OCT3 from NBM to OSF to BSCC-OSF was gradually upregulated. In addition, as BSCC became better differentiated, the expression of OCT3 increased.

CONCLUSIONS: The expression of OCT3 was associated with OSF progression and the differentiation of BSCC. OCT3 expression may serve as a molecular marker for the prevention and early diagnosis of OSF and BSCC.