Aim
YKL-40 plays a role in proliferation and differentiation of malignant cells. The aim of this study was to examine whether YKL-40 is expressed in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Materials and
Conclusion
YKL-40 is expressed in cutaneous SCC. Further research is needed to establish the value of YKL-40 for diagnosis and monitoring of SCC.
Methods
The study was based on histologically-confirmed biopsies of cutaneous SCCs obtained from 38 patients. The tissue expression of YKL-40 was assessed using an immunohisto-chemical method. The percentage of cells showing a positive reaction as well as the intensity of the IHC reaction was assessed using the immunoreactive score developed by Remmele and Stegner.
Results
All samples of cutaneous SCCs showed cytoplasmic expression of YKL-40. The intensity of YKL-40 expression varied between 1 and 8 points, according to the applied scale. In the majority of cancers about 10-80% of tumor cells were positive for YKL-40. The intensity of the reaction was low (20 samples, 52.6%) or medium (18 samples, 47.4%).