Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common and aggressive malignancy that poses significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and prognosis. Identifying reliable biomarkers for early detection and prognostication is essential for improving patient outcomes. Ki-67, PI3K, and Fascin are potential biomarkers involved in OSCC progression, but their combined diagnostic value and clinical significance remain underexplored. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the expression levels of Ki-67, PI3K, and Fascin in OSCC tissues and investigate their associations with clinical and pathological parameters, including tumour differentiation, cervical lymph node metastasis, and TNM staging. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 35 patients diagnosed with OSCC, with tumour tissues subjected to immunohistochemical staining to assess the expression of Ki-67, PI3K, and Fascin. The association between marker expression and clinical features was evaluated, and correlations between the markers were analysed. RESULTS: The expression levels of Ki-67, PI3K, and Fascin were significantly higher in OSCC tissues compared to paracancerous tissues (P< 0.05). Higher expression levels of these markers were associated with well-differentiated tumours and cervical lymph node metastasis (P< 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between early and advanced tumour stages (P> 0.05). Strong positive correlations were observed between Ki-67, PI3K, and Fascin expression, indicating potential shared molecular pathways involved in OSCC progression. CONCLUSIONS: Ki-67, PI3K, and Fascin are promising biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the prognosis of OSCC. Their combined assessment could aid in early detection, identification of high-risk patients, and determination of appropriate treatment strategies. Further research is needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying their role in OSCC progression and to assess their clinical utility in patient management.