Immunohistochemical Expression of CD138 (Syndecan 1) in Salivary Gland Carcinomas and its Association with Histopathological Grading
1Dr. Reeja Khatoon, 2Dr. Umair Aslam Shahzad Khan, 3Dr. Nighat Ara, 4Dr. Adeel Arif, 5Dr. Bushra Parveen, 6Dr. Hana Tasneem Khan, 7Dr. Usman Zafar, 8Dr. Khudeja Tul Kubra Khatoon
1,2,4,5,6: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, NUMS, Rawalpindi
3Army Medical College, NUMS, Rawalpindi
7Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi
8Fauji Foundation Hospital, Islamabad
Vol: 15/03, 511-519
Submission: 12 January 2025 | Acceptance: 19 May 2025 | Publication: 14 July 2025
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. 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.