Increased nuclear β-catenin expression in oral potentially malignant lesions: a marker of epithelial dysplasia

Background: Deregulation of β-catenin is associated with malignant transformation; however, its relationship with potentially malignant and malignant oral processes is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the nuclear β-catenin expression in oral dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Material and Methods: Cross sectional study. Immunodetection of β-catenin was performed on 72 samples, with the following distribution: 21 mild dysplasia, 12 moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia 3, 36 OSCC including 19 well differentiated, 15 moderately differentiated and 2 poorly differentiated. Through microscopic observation the number of positive cells per 100…