View Article

Volume-13 Number-1, 2026 / Original Article

Stem Cell Marker OCT4 Expression and Its Clinicopathological Correlation in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Cervix

Author:

Moniza Ilyas
Department of Pathology, Balrampur Hospital, Lucknow, UP, India
Nishi Tandon
Department of Pathology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, UP, India
Andleeb Zehra
Department of Pathology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, UP, India
Farheen Khan
Department of Pathology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, UP, India
Priyanka Sharma
Department of Pathology, Heritage institute of medical sciences, Varanasi, UP, India
Nirupma Lal
Department of Pathology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, UP, India

Abstract:

Background: Even now, cervical cancer weighs heavily on global health, especially in poorer nations, hitting women hard with illness and death. Though testing and treatment have improved, many still arrive at hospitals too late for effective care. Tumors can grow back or spread because some cells act like seeds - deep inside, they resist drugs and survive. These stubborn cells, called cancer stem cells, are thought to drive how disease moves forward. One protein, known as OCT4, helps keep such cells flexible and alive. Found active in several cancers, it shows up often in cervical tumors, raising interest among researchers watching its behavior.

Methods: A group of 56 tissue samples took part in this observation-based comparison - half came from people with cervical squamous cell cancer, the other half from those treated for long-term cervicitis. Preserved tissue slides were made, and testing was done with OCT4 to evaluate its levels.

Results: The results show that compared to the controls, the carcinoma samples had much higher levels of OCT4 (every cancer tested had some level of signal, while only 2/3rd of the controls had OCT4), and the difference was very highly significant (less than 0.001). In addition, the non-keratinized tumors had greater amounts of OCT4 than the keratinized tumors (0.013); there was a greater increase in the number of OCT4 based on the loss of differentiation; the OCT4 activity increased continuously from well-differentiated to poorly differentiated (p=0.040).

Conclusion: Cervical squamous cell cancer has been found to have a strong correlation to OCT4 levels, which might be indicative of the tumor's aggressiveness. The presence of this biomarker could eliminate the uncertainty regarding tumor stage and help direct the course of treatment. Furthermore, if this trend continues over time, treatment decisions may change as a result.

Keywords:

Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Clinicopathological Correlation, Immunohistochemistry, OCT4 Expression, Stem Cell Marker

License:

Links:

Download PDF

View in DOI 10.24041/ejmr.2026.6