Abstract
BACKGROUND: The proliferative potential of odontogenic tumors is an important factor in understanding their aggressive behavior. "Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA)" is a functional and structural component of DNA replication factor, while "Minichromosome Maintenance Protein 2 (MCM2)", from the MCM family, mediates cell proliferation as well as progression through to S-phase. Here, we aimed to evaluate the expression of PCNA and MCM2 in odontogenic tumors with a special emphasis on ameloblastomas and "keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs)". MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for PCNA and MCM2 was performed in tissue samples of ameloblastoma and KCOT. The expression levels were studied. RESULTS: Both PCNA and MCM2 were overexpressed significantly higher in ameloblastomas compared to KCOT. A strong correlation was also noted between increased MCM2 expression and local invasiveness of tumour (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We have studied the expression of MCM2 in a series of ameloblastomas (using an immunohistochemical method) and found this marker to be expressed at high levels; thus, it could potentially serve as a prognostic marker for these aggressive tumors.