Fig 2: Representative images of IHC IRS score (0 to +9) in epithelial cells of TSCC. (a): COL1A2. (b): CRNN. (c): DCN. Image annotations: (C) Cytoplasmic staining, (K) Keratin crystal, (S) Stroma, (T) Tumour (magnification, ×40).

Fig 3: Representative images showing TMA for (A): COL1A2, (B): CRNN and (C): DCN IHC staining. a: Group of TSCC patients with no addiction (TSCC, NA). b: Group of TSCC patients who are tobacco smoke addicts (TSCC, TS). c: Group of TSCC patients who are betel leaf addicts (TSCC, BL). d: Group of TSCC patients who are naswar addicts (TSCC, Nas). e: Non-cancer control oral cavity tissues/lesions. (i and ii) Two TMA blocks per group. One image represents one patient. Image annotation: (N) Not available, (T) Tongue tissue (magnification, ×40).

Fig 4: Representative images showing healthy and TSCC tissues. (a): COL1A2. (b): CRNN. (c): DCN IHC cytoplasmic and nuclear staining in epithelial cells of tongue. (i) Healthy tongue tissue control. (ii) Inflammation of tongue. (iii) High-grade dysplasia of tongue. (iv) Well differentiated (TSCC G1). (v) Moderately differentiated (TSCC G2). (vi) Poorly differentiated (TSCC G3). One image represents one patient. Image annotations: (B) Basal layer, (C) Cytoplasmic staining, (D) Dysplasia, (E) Epithelium, (IM) Inflammatory mucosa, (K) Keratin crystal, (N) Nuclear staining, (S) Stroma, (T) Tumour (magnification, ×40).

Fig 5: (i) Frequency histogram for the (A): COL1A2, (B): CRNN and (C): DCN. Immunoscore (IRS) cut-off value (+3). TSCC: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma, n: Number of patients. (ii) Stacked graph shows the number of patients showing IRS scores 0 to +9