[Expressions of receptor-interacting protein and caspase-8 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral precancerous lesions].

To detect the expressions of receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and caspase-8 and investigate their roles in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral precancerous lesions. SABC immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expressions of RIP and caspase-8 in 22 specimens of OSCC, 14 specimens of oral lichen planus (OLP), 14 specimens of oral leukoplakia (OLK) and 10 specimens of normal oral mucosa (NOM). The rate of weak or negative expression of RIP in normal mucosa was 50% (5/10). The rates of weak and positive expression of RIP in OLP, OLK and OSCC were 75% (36/50), and the rate of positive and strong expression of RIP was 63.7% (14/22) in OSCC, significantly higher that in the others groups (P<0.05). The rates of weak, positive and strong positive expression of caspase-8 in NOM, OLP, OLK and OSCC were 80% (8/10), 100% (14/14), 85.7% (12/14), and 100% (22/22), respectively. Both RIP and caspase-8 may play important roles in the occurrence and progression of OSCC and oral precancerous lesions.