Impact of stromal CD45RO+ immune cells on proliferation and dedifferentiation in node-negative squamous cell carcinomas of cheek mucosa

Background: The most fundamental trait of cancer cells involves their ability to sustain chronic proliferation. Tumors have a complex cellular ecology that establishes the malignant potential of the tumor. In these ecosystems, innate immune cells are highly represented. Many contradictory reports have been published regarding the impact of tumor-infiltrating immune cells on proliferation of the tumors. Aim: This study aims to assess the impact of CD45RO+ve immune cells on proliferation and dedifferentiation of node-negative squamous cell carcinomas of cheek mucosa (SCC-CM). Materials and Methods: Thirty formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of previously diagnosed node-negative SCC-CM subclassified as Grade I SCC – 10 cases; Grade II SCC – 10 cases; and Grade III SCC – 10 cases (Broders' classification – 1927). Immunohistochemistry performed on each selected tissue section using anti-p53 and anti-CD45RO as primary antibodies. Semi-quantitative analyses performed for all the tissue sections to assess the p53 and CD45RO expression. p53:CD45RO expression ratio calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism 5 for Windows. Results: Our results showed statistically significant increase (P = 0.0006) in p53 expression and decrease (P = 0.0044) in CD45RO+ immune cell response with the decrease in differentiation of SCC-CMs using Fisher's exact test and statistically significant increase (P < 0.001) in p53:CD45RO expression ratio with decrease in differentiation using one-way ANOVA. Conclusion: Based on all these findings from the present study, we perceive the following findings. In node-negative SCC-CMs, CD45RO+ immune cells play a possible role in controlling the dedifferentiation of the tumor and in limiting the proliferative potential of the tumor cells which are tumor antagonistic in nature

Peripheral odontogenic myxoma.

Odontogenic myxomas are a rare benign odontogenic mesenchymal tumor found exclusively in the tooth‑bearing area of the jaw and are usually located centrally in the mandible. Soft tissue localization is rarely seen and is classified as peripheral odontogenic myxoma (POM). POM is slow growing and less aggressive as compared to central myxoma. It has a low recurrence rate, comprises 3–6% of all odontogenic tumors. Only a few cases of POM on maxillary gingiva are reported in the literature. Here, we present an unusual case of primary POM occurring in the gingiva of anterior maxilla in a 14‑year‑old female patient.

Grading angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A histomorphometric study.

Context: Like normal tissues, tumors require an adequate supply of oxygen, metabolites and an effective way to remove waste products. This is achieved by angiogenesis, which is defined as the process by which new blood vessels are produced by sprouting from preexisting vasculature. There is a large spectrum of physiological and pathological processes in which angiogenesis occur, ranging from tissue hypertrophy, wound healing, and inflammation to tumors. Aims: The present study was designed to morphometrically evaluate the angiogenesis in different grades of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) under light microscope by the use of H and E stained sections and to assess that whether the parameters of vascularity like mean vascular density (MVD), mean vascular area (MVA), and total vascular area (TVA) can be used to histologically grade the tumors. Subjects and Methods: A total of 10 cases each of well‑, moderately‑ and poorly‑differentiated SCC cases were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology and were morphometrically analyzed for mean vascular density (MVD), MVA, and TVA. Ten cases of normal oral mucosa were taken as Control. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 19.0 version (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) software for windows. Group mean for MVD, TVA and MVA were calculated for 10 cases of each group. “Student’s t‑test” was applied to assess the intergroup variation of mean values of MVD, TVA, and MVA. Results: Our results showed significant differences between all the three parameters, that is, MVD, MVA and TVA when poorly differentiated OSCC was compared with the normal mucosa, well‑ and moderately‑differentiated OSCC. However, when comparison was made between the well‑ and moderately‑differentiated OSCC, the differences in the three parameters were present but not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was an increased MVD, MVA and TVA in poorly differentiated OSCC, which could be used as an additional criterion to histologically grade the tumor.

Fibrosarcoma of the oral cavity.

Fibrosarcoma has been defined as a malignant tumor of the fibroblasts that shows no other evidence of cellular differentiation and is capable of recurrence and metastasis. Fibrosarcomas are rare but may occur anywhere in the body, most commonly in the retroperitoneum, thigh, knee and distal extremities. Fibrosarcoma is uncommon in the head and neck region and constitutes about 1% of all the malignancies affecting the human race. Of all the fibrosarcomas occurring in humans, only 0.05% occurs in the head and neck region. Of this, almost 23% is seen in the oral cavity. Fibosarcomas generally have a poor prognosis and the overall survival rate is 20-35% over a period of 5 years.