The differential expression of EPHB4 and ephrin B2 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma according to the grade of tumor differentiation: a clinicopathological study

BACKGROUND EPHB4 and its ligand, ephrin B2, which are receptor tyrosine kinases of the erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (EPH) family, are known to be linked to several human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate their expression patterns in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in association with tumor differentiation and other variable clinical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemical staining for EPHB4 and ephrin B2 was performed in 32 cases of CSCC with different histologic grades. The clinical characteristics and histologic grades of CSCC were evaluated in association with EPHB4 and ephrin B2 expression patterns. RESULTS EPHB4 and ephrin B2 expression levels were significantly inversely proportional to the grade of differentiation of CSCC (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION These results indicated that EPHB4 and ephrin B2 can be useful markers for poorly differentiated CSCC.