Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and is thought to arise from progressive dysplastic changes of the oral squamous epithelium. Thirty-six paraffin blocks were investigated in this study including fifteen premalignant dysplastic lesions and fifteen OSCC. In addition, six specimens from normal tissue were used as a control. Slides were immunostained by the monoclonal mouse anti-human Akt2 antibody. The immunostained sections were analyzed by an image analyzer computer system using the software LeciaQwin 500.The area percent of the positive nuclear and cytoplasmic immunoreaction was measured in normal oral tissue, in oral dysplastic lesions and in different grades of SCC. Positive Akt2 cytoplasmic immunoexpression was observed in few of the basal and suprabasal cells of mild and severe dysplasia. In different grades of SCC, immunoexpression was noted in the cytoplasm of the invading malignant epithelial cells, with occasional nuclear staining. In conclusion, Akt2 immunoexpression increased with the progression of oral epithelial dysplasia from mild dysplasia to high grade OSCC. This indicates that Akt2 immunoexpression may be an aid in the diagnosis of oral dysplasia and SCC. Akt2 is therefore a potential therapeutic target that can help in management of oral dysplasia and SCC.