Expression of Ki-67, Osteocalcin and Ostepontin in Cementoblastoma

Abstract

Cementoblastoma is a relatively rare type of odontogenic tumor. This study investigated the features of cementoblastoma tumor cells in three cases using immunohistochemistry. Immunopositive reactivity for Ki-67 was recognized in the nuclei of spindle-shaped cells that were located in the fibrous connective tissue among the cementum-like hard tissue. Those cells were mainly discernible at the periphery of the tumors. Polygonal cementoblast-like cells with large nuclei surrounding the hard tissue were immunopositive for osteopontin and osteocalcin but not for Ki-67, which suggests that these cells may be more differentiated cells that have the potential to form hard tissue.