Abstract
Background and aims. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Ki-67 antigen are contributing factors in this
process cell proliferation and new blood vessels formation in tumor progression. This study was conducted to examine the
relationship between the expression of VEGF and Ki-67 and gender and age of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
(OSCC).
Materials and methods. Twenty-three archival samples of well-differentiated OSCC were examined immunohistochemically
and assessed by obtaining Total Score (TS = proportion score × staining index). For statistical analysis, t-test
and Pearson’s correlation were employed. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results. The differences in VEGF expression between males and females (P = 0.43) and different ages (P = 0.88) were not
significant. The differences in Ki-67 expression was between males and females (P = 0.67) and different ages (P = 0.88)
were also not significant. A positive correlation of VEGF and Ki-67 expression was observed in males and females in addition
to ≤ 60 years age group (r = 0.22, r = 0.008, and r = 0.58, respectively; P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF had a negative
relation to Ki-67 in > 60 years group (r = −0.48, P < 0.05).
Conclusion. The expression of VEGF and Ki-67 between males and females and different ages were not significant
among oral squamous cell carcinoma cases evaluated.