Expression of Twist in different subtype of ameloblastomas.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the pattern of Twist expression in a series of ameloblastomas, and to study the possible role of Twist in the bone destruction and local invasiveness of ameloblastoma variants. STUDY DESIGN: Immunohistochemical study was performed for Twist protein in 53 ameloblastomas (32 solid/multicystic [SA] and 21 unicystic [UA]). RESULTS: The salient finding was that expression of Twist was related to the histological subtype of tumors, as there was a higher expression in SA (14/32, 43.75%) as compared to UA (4/21, 19.05%) (P < .05). Both nuclei and cytoplasm positivities were detected in positive cases, whereas cytoplasmic staining was diffused and predominant. Cases rich in stromal cells showed a higher percentage of positive cells than those with less stroma. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Twist expression might be associated with invasion in ameloblastoma variants, and stromal cells might play a regulatory role during tumor development.