Maspin Expression in Salivary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: Auclair vs. Brandwein Grading System

Purpose: Maspin is a member of serpin (serine protease inhibitor) family, and is known to have tumor-suppressor function. Maspin has been reported to play a critical role in processes relevant to tumor growth and metastasis such as cell invasion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate immunohistochemical expression of maspin and its correlation to histologic grade of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Materials and Methods: A total of 22 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of mucoepidermoid carcinoma were prepared for immunohistochemical staining with maspin antibodies. Maspin immunoreactivity was evaluated by calculating the proportion of positively-stained tumor cells present in 5 high-power fields. Results: All cases were expressed maspin with variable cellular localization. No significant correlation was found between maspin expression and clinicopathologic features such as patient’s age, gender, tumor site, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (p> 0.05), whereas maspin expression showed a statistically significant correlation with grade of tumors classified in regard to Auclair system (p= 0.011), compared to that evaluated by Brandwein system (p= 0.155). Conclusion: Salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed maspin immunoreactivity with variable levels and cellular localization. Maspin is a valuable biomarker to predict the prognosis of salivary mucoepidermoid carcinoma.