Abstract: Objective　To investigate the expression of OPN (osteopontin) and MMP-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-3) in oral squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance and relevance .Methods The immune- unohistochemical method was performed to detect the expression of OPN and MMP-3 in 60 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) and 30 cases of normal oral mucosal tissues. The relationship between OPN and MMP-3 and clinicopathological parameters of OSCC was analyzed. Results (1)The positive expression rates of OPN and MMP-3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues were 68.0% and 75.0% respectively. The expressions of OPN and MMP-9 in the oral squamous cell carcinoma and the normal groups had statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).(2)The expression rates of OPN and MMP-3 were correlated with clinical stage, histological differentiation and lymph nodes metastasis (P＜0.05).(3)The expressions of OPN and mmp-3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma were positively correlated, and the correlation index of Spearman was 0.269 (P＜0.05). Conclusion OPN and mmp-3 have high expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma, which is closely related to the occurrence and development of oral squamous carcinoma. Their high expression has synergistic effect on the occurrence and development of oral squamous carcinoma, and it is possible to provide basis for early diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy for oral squamous carcinoma.

Key words: oral squamous carcinoma, OPN(osteopontin), MMP-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-3), immuneohistochemical