Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of muscle segment homeobox2 (Msx2) and topo II-alpha in sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP), and the relationship in the process of malignant transformation of SNIP.
Method: Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of Msx2 and topo II-alpha in 32 cases of SNIP, 30 cases of inflammatory nasal polyp (INP) and 30 cases of SNIP with carcinoma. According to the pathology results, SNIP were divided into mild atypical hyperplasia, moderate atypical hyperplasia and severe atypical hyperplasia.
Result: The mean optical density of Msx2 in SNIP and SNIP with carcinoma tissues were 0.2183 +/- 0.0598 and 0.2521 +/- 0.0761,which were significantly higher than 0.1878 +/- 0. 0372 in the INP tissue (P<0.05 or 0.01). The mean optical density of topo II-alpha in SNIP and SNIP with carcinoma tissues were 0.2303 +/- 0.0397 and 0.2666 +/- 0.0483, which were significantly higher than 0.1978 +/- 0.0388 in the NIP tissue (P<0.01). There were significant difference of Msx2 and topo II-alpha in SNIP between any two of the three groups divided according to pathological morphology (P<0.01 or 0.05). The expression of Msx2 and topo II-alpha in SNIP were positively correlated (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Msx2 and topo II-alpha may play an important role in the occurrence and development of SNIP. So it can be used as new therapeutic targets.