Immunohistochemical expression of Survivin and its relationship with cell apoptosis and proliferation in ameloblastomas.

Ameloblastoma behavior is related to the potential of tumor cells to inhibit apoptosis and to initiate a proliferative phase. This study was performed to compare the immunoexpression of Survivin with Bcl-2, Bax, and Ki-67 and to associate them with the histopathological type of each variant of ameloblastoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for ameloblastoma, 110 cases were selected. The cases were classified as solid/multicystic and unicystic ameloblastomas. Cellular counts of cytoplasmic immunoexpression were assessed for cytoplasmic Survivin, Bcl-2, and Bax, while the nuclear immunoexpression of Survivin and Ki-67 was assessed using label index. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic Survivin and Bcl-2 showed higher percentages of immunoexpression in solid multicystic ameloblastomas compared to unicystic ameloblastomas (P < 0.05). Bax, Ki-67, and nuclear Survivin were expressed in higher percentages in unicystic ameloblastomas. CONCLUSIONS: Cytoplasmic Survivin and Bcl-2 immunoexpression levels were elevated in relation to Bax immunoexpression, suggesting aggressive ameloblastoma behavior, while Ki-67 and nuclear Survivin immunoexpression may be associated with the type of tumor morphology that influences cellular counts or with the greater capacity for cellular proliferation and tumor growth.