الفهرس 
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Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the expression of the novel anti-apoptotic protein survivin and its association with tumour cell apoptosis in 93 archival salivary gland neoplasms (23 benign and 70 malignant neoplasms). Five normal serous and mucous glandular tissues were used as a control group. Specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical staining by anti-survivin monoclonal antibody using Biotin-Strept Avidin detection system. Thirty specimens of malignant tumours were used for histochemical assessment of apoptosis by TUNEL technique.
Quantification of survivin positivity was performed using image analyzer computer system and then evaluated in the form of total score which was graded as follows: scores 1&2 indicated mild expression, scores 3&4 indicated moderate expression and scores 5&6 indicated strong expression. The TUNEL positive apoptotic cells were detected by light microscope and were quantified using the image analyzer for the assessment of the apoptotic index. Significant inverse correlation was found between survivin immunoexpression and apoptotic index in the control group and malignant salivary gland tumours.
The results showed predominant cytoplasmic survivin positivity in 11/23(47%) benign and in 61/70(87%) malignant salivary neoplasms. However, 13/72(18%) tumours showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin positivity. Normal salivary tissues were negative for survivin immunostain. Survivin immunoexpression showed significant increase from benign to malignant salivary tumours and from low grade to high grade malignant tumours. Survivin expression correlated with histopathologic malignancy grade in salivary cancers.