Objective: To detect the expressions of receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and caspase-8 and investigate their roles in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral precancerous lesions.
Methods: SABC immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expressions of RIP and caspase-8 in 22 specimens of OSCC, 14 specimens of oral lichen planus (OLP), 14 specimens of oral leukoplakia (OLK) and 10 specimens of normal oral mucosa (NOM).
Results: The rate of weak or negative expression of RIP in normal mucosa was 50% (5/10). The rates of weak and positive expression of RIP in OLP, OLK and OSCC were 75% (36/50), and the rate of positive and strong expression of RIP was 63.7% (14/22) in OSCC, significantly higher that in the others groups (P<0.05). The rates of weak, positive and strong positive expression of caspase-8 in NOM, OLP, OLK and OSCC were 80% (8/10), 100% (14/14), 85.7% (12/14), and 100% (22/22), respectively.
Conclusion: Both RIP and caspase-8 may play important roles in the occurrence and progression of OSCC and oral precancerous lesions.