ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the expression and relationship of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in normal oral mucosa, oral leukoplakia (OLK), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This work also analyzed the relationship between expression levels and clinical factors. This study evaluated the clinical value of LC3B and mTOR as indices to determine the carcinogenic potential of OLK.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of LC3B and mTOR in 20 cases of normal oral mucosa, 120 cases of OLK, and 30 cases of OSCC. The clinical data of 120 patients with OLK were analyzed. The relationships between expression levels and clinical factors were investigated.ResultsIn normal oral mucosa, OLK and OSCC, the positive rates of LC3B expression were 85.0%, 65.8% and 33.3% (PPPConclusionLC3B and mTOR can be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of OLK.
