Background: Stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) a recently introduced biomarker that regulates key cell cycle events in normal cells and during carcinogenesis in neoplastic cells. The role of SCD in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unexplored; therefore, an analysis of SCD expression in OED and OSCC has been performed.

Objectives: To assess the expression levels of SCD in OED and OSCC samples and correlate them with normal oral mucosa (NOM) to determine their prognostic potential.

Methodology: Fifty five tissue samples of OED (20), OSCC (20) and NOM (15) was subjected to immunohistochemistry using SCD. Clinical details and follow-up data (3 years) were recorded. Clinical and histopathological parameters were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate analyses, Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance test and Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results: Descriptive analysis on OED and NOM showed statistically significant difference in age between OED and NOM (p = 0.002). Univariate analysis of OSCC cases by log-rank test revealed significant results in the usage of smoked and smokeless tobacco and clinical staging of OSCC (p = 0.044). Significantly increased SCD expression was observed in OSCC (p = 0.029); also in OED and OSCC versus NOM (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: The expression of SCD in OED was higher than NOM suggesting changes in cell cycle control in OED. Increased expression of SCD was identified in OSCC when compared to OED. Correlating the SCD expression with survival rate in OSCC patients revealed an increased SCD expression with diminished survival rate; however, the role of SCD in assessing the prognostic potential within the grades of OED and OSCC requires future research.

Keywords:  Biomarker, Immunohistochemistry, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Prognosis