Expression of Minichromosome Maintenance 2 (MCM2), Ki-67, and Cell-Cycle-Related Molecules, and Apoptosis in the Normal-Dysplasia-Carcinoma Sequence of the Oral Mucosa

Abstract

Oral dysplasia was characterized by lower cell proliferation and a higher frequency of cell death compared to SCCs. The higher LI of MCM2 and P53 and the lower LI of P21 might predict malignant transformation of oral dysplasia. MCM2 is regulated via a P53-independent pathway, and a useful biomarker of proliferating cells.