Correlations among Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule, Nerve Growth Factor, and Its Receptors, TrkA, TrkB, TrkC, and p75NGFR, in Perineural Invasion by Basal Cell and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Abstract

In basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, the presence of neural cell adhesion molecule may determine tumor aggression and increased levels of nerve growth factor and TrkA, B, and C may reflect unique survival pathways. Higher levels of expression of Trk receptors in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells may predict perineural invasion and the increased p75(NGFR) expression found in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma perineurally may allow p75(NGFR) immunohistochemical staining to be used for detecting sites of perineural invasion.