The immunohistochemical profile of basal cell nevus syndrome-associated and sporadic odontogenic keratocysts: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To provide a systematic review of the literature on studies comparing the immunoprofile of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (BCNS)-associated and sporadic odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), in order to identify markers that could accurately distinguish the two OKC subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE via OVID, and grey literature for publications until December 28th, 2019, that compared the immunohistochemical expression of the two OKC subtypes. The studies were qualitatively assessed using the Critical Appraisal Tool for Case Series (Joana Briggs Institute). Sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve, and pooled estimates were calculated, using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Seventy-one studies were qualitatively analyzed; 61 markers were evaluated in one study and 32 in ≥ 2 studies. Twenty-five studies reported differential expression of 29 markers in the form of higher number of positive cells or greater staining intensity usually in BCNS-associated OKCs. Meta-analysis for bcl-2, Cyclin D1, CD56, CK18, p53, and PCNA showed that none of those markers is distinguishable between BCNS-associated and sporadic OKCs, in a 95% confidence interval. The risk of bias was high in 34 studies, moderate in 22, and low in 15. CONCLUSIONS: The present systematic review and meta-analysis uncovered that, although several immunohistochemical markers might characterize the OKC phenotype, they cannot discriminate between the BCNS-associated and sporadic OKCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study highlighted the requirement for additional screening for markers by immunohistochemistry, preferentially coupled to alternative diagnostic applications such as genomics technologies.