Characterization of mast cell subpopulations in lip cancer

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Abstract
Background: Lip squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common form of oral cancer. Human mast cells (MCs), which are increased in lip SCC, are classified by their protease content in tryptase-positive (MCT) and tryptase/chymase-positive (MCTC). MC proteases are associated with tumor progression and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to quantify and characterize MC subpopulations in lip SCC. Methods: Serial sections from lip SCC (n = 21) and normal lip vermilion (n = 8) biopsies were stained immunohistochemically for tryptase and enzymehistochemically for chymase to determine MC subpopulation density and distribution. Results: MCT and MCTC were increased in lip SCC when compared with normal lip (P < 0.0001), where MCT predominated over MCTC (P < 0.01). In lip SCC neither subpopulation predominated. Regarding distribution, MCT were higher than MCTC at the intratumoral stroma, whereas MCTC were higher than MCT at the peritumoral stroma (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The results suggest that MC subpopulations may contribute to lip SCC progression. While intratumoral MCT may stimulate angiogenesis, peritumoral MCTC may promote extracellular matrix degradation and tumor progression at the invasion front.