Assessment of CD138 (Syndecan-1) Immunoexpression in Salivary Gland Carcinomas and Its Relationship to Tumor Grade
- Dr annum Fareed, Ajk mc Muzaffarbad
- Dr Haroon Afarq, Poonch medical college Rawalakot
- Dr Areeba Kabir, Poonch Medical College Rawalakot
- Dr Atia Miskeen, Poonch medical college
- Dr Maria Ayoub, Poonch Medical College Rawalakot
- Dr Kazalbash Tahir, Poonch medical college Rawalakot
Abstract
Background: Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) represent a heterogeneous group of malignancies with varied biological behavior and prognosis. Reliable biomarkers that correlate with tumor differentiation and aggressiveness are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy and prognostic stratification. CD138 (Syndecan 1) is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan involved in cell adhesion, proliferation, and tumor progression.
Objective: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD138 in the stromal and epithelial components of salivary gland carcinomas and determine its association with histopathological grades.
Study Design: Cross‑sectional analytical study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Histopathology/Oral Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from November 2024 to May 2025.
Methodology: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted on 41 cases of histopathologically diagnosed salivary gland carcinomas. Hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections were reviewed to confirm diagnosis and grading. Immunohistochemistry for CD138 was performed, and expression was assessed based on staining intensity and percentage of positive tumor cells. Associations between CD138 expression and histopathological grade were analyzed using SPSS v26, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A statistically significant association was observed between epithelial CD138 expression and histopathological grade (p ≤ 0.05), with higher epithelial expression more frequently seen in advanced grades. In contrast, stromal CD138 expression demonstrated variable distribution across tumor grades but did not show a statistically significant association (p = 0.5).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that altered expression of Syndecan 1 (CD138), particularly within the stromal component, is significantly associated with higher histopathological grades in salivary gland carcinomas. Furthermore, epithelial CD138 expression also shows a strong correlation with the histological grading, especially in high-grade tumors. These findings suggest that CD138 may serve as a valuable adjunct prognostic marker in the assessment of salivary gland carcinomas. However, further large-scale studies are necessary to confirm its clinical utility and potential role in patient management.
Keywords: Salivary gland carcinoma, CD138, Syndecan 1, Immunohistochemistry, Histopathological grading