The aim of this study was to examine the value of osteoclast-related cytokines in biopsy specimens for predicting mandibular invasion by oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this retrospective study, biopsy specimens were obtained from 30 patients with OSCC. We observed the expression of seven osteoclast-related cytokines (IL-1α, RANKL, PTHrP, OPG, IL-6, RANK and TNF-α) using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and of an osteoclast using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The results were as follows: i) double-staining and IHC staining for RANKL, PTHrP and IL-1α in biopsy samples had diagnostic potential for predicting mandibular invasion; ii) TRAP-positive mono- or multinuclear cells were noted in the biopsy samples; iii) double-positive or -negative findings appeared to reliable indicate whether samples were invasion-positive or invasion-negative. Positive IHC staining for PTHrP, IL-1α or RANKL appeared to typically indicate an invasion-positive lesion. We suggest that the expression of both osteoclasts and osteoclast-related cytokines can be used to predict mandibular invasion.

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