WNT-1 has been demonstrated to play an important role in the carcinogenesis of some cancers, but its significance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not yet been elucidated. We investigated the WNT-1 expression in OSCC, its role on the expression of β-catenin and its relation to Ki-67 and tumor differentiation. Surgical specimens from 82 OSCC patients were examined for WNT-1, β-catenin, E-cadherin, γ-catenin and Ki-67 expression by immunohistochemical staining. The results were compared with the clinicopathological data and the relationships were correlated. WNT-1 expression was low in 39 cases, moderate in 5 cases, and high in 38 cases. WNT-1 showed a significant association with the expression of β-catenin, E-cadherin, γ-catenin and Ki-67. It was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation. The results of this study showed that WNT-1 expression is correlated with β-catenin, Ki-67 and tumor differentiation, which suggested that WNT-1 might play an important role in the disturbed differentiation and uncontrolled proliferation during OSCC carcinogenesis.

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