Abstract
This study aimed to assess the expression of Gata-3 and Il-4 by verifying the presence of Th2 responses in carcinoma lesions under different clinical conditions. Sixty specimens comprising 30 oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas (OTSCCs) and 30 lower lip squamous cell carcinomas (LLSCCs) were randomly selected for the study. Gata-3 was quantified in parenchymal and stromal cells and Il-4 was semi-quantitatively analyzed. The highest Gata-3 (+) expressions in LLSCC cases were detected in the total parenchyma (p: 0.000), total stroma (p: 0.000), and total parenchyma/stroma (p: 0.000). Concerning Il-4, higher concentrations were detected in the parenchyma (p: 0.000) in LLSCC cases, while higher concentrations were observed in the stroma (p: 0.000) and in the parenchyma/stroma (p: 0.004) in OTSCC cases. Significant associations between Gata-3 and Il-4 were detected according to the OTSCC region in comparison with LLSCC cases. A higher number of immunolabelled cells for Gata-3 was observed in LLSCCs, suggesting greater Gata-3 expression in less aggressive lesions, potentially reducing the likelihood of tumor invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, higher Il-4 expressions were noted in OTSCC stroma, evidencing not only a higher response (Th2) in this tumor microenvironment but also suggesting that the lower amounts of Il-4 detected in LLSCCs may be associated with a neoplastic growth inhibition mechanism. These findings corroborate the more aggressive OTSCC behavior in comparison with LLSCCs and emphasize the important role of this cytokine and its application in the fight against cancer.