Expression of metallothionein in pleomorphic adenoma

Abstract

Purpose: Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a benign salivary gland tumor (SGT) containing different cell types, including myoepithelial cells. Metallothionein (MT) is a protein that has multiple functions in various neoplasm and it is associated with a worse prognosis in cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the immunoexpression of MT in PA. Methods: The expression of MT was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 13 cases of PA. The labeled cells were counted and analyzed. Results: All PA samples showed MT expression with an average rate of positive cells of 12.29%. A higher expression of MT was observed in myoepithelial cells, with both cytoplasmic and nuclear labeling. These results drove us the conclusion that PA expresses MT at low levels. MT was present in the nucleus and cytoplasm of neoplastic