SOX18 is an integral transcription factor that is involved in endothelial cell differentiation during both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Therefore, the doctors have implicated in tumor progression and metastasis. The study aimed to study SOX18 expression in nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) compared to seborrheic keratosis (SK) and standard control skin and assess its potential role in tumor evolution and progression. The researchers conducted the study on 60 specimens of NMSCs: 30 basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and 30 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 30 samples of SK, and 30 standard skin specimens. They examined all of them for immunohistochemical expression of the SOX18 antibody. Additionally, morphometric assessment of vessel density (blood & lymphatic) in each sample was estimated.
Significant SOX18 overexpression was observed in all studied cutaneous tumors in comparison to control skin. The researchers have detected the highest SOX18 expression in SCC, then BCC and the least expression was reported in SK with a significant difference between them. Furthermore, significant upregulation of SOX18 expression was observed in high‐risk types of both BCC and SCC compared to low‐risk types. Stromal vessel density showed substantial differences between the studied tumors with the highest mean value in SCC, followed by BCC and SK. A positive correlation between SOX18 expression in the studied tumors and their vessel density was detected.
Ref: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.15032
