[The expression of EGFR in oral lichen planus, squamous cell papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma].

PURPOSE: To study the role of EGFR in the genesis of squamous cell by means of observation on its expression in oral lichen planus(OLP), squamous cell papilloma (SCP)and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). METHODS: EGFR expression was observed in 20 OLPs, 20 SCPs,20 SCCs and 5 normal oral mucosa specimen by immunohistochemistry. The number of positive cells was counted by Fromowitz method and COX-2 expression was analyzed with SPSS11.5 software package. RESULTS: The expression of EGFR was weak in OLP without erosive and ulcerative lesion. The strongly positive rates of EGFR in OLP with erosive and ulcerative lesion group, SCP group and SCC group were 20%, 25% and 60%, respectively .There were significant differences between the OLP with erosive and ulcerative lesion and OLP without erosive and ulcerative lesion. The expression of EGFR increased significantly from OLP, SCP to SCC (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of EGFR is important in the progression of OLP, SCP and SCC. It can be an important target for chemical prevention and therapy.