RESUMO
Abstract Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) are associated with an increased risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). OSCC has an aggressive profile and is the most prevalent among different head and neck malignancies. Most OSCC patients are diagnosed with advanced stage tumors and have a poor prognosis. Cancer cells are able to reprogram their metabolism, even in the presence of oxygen, enhancing the conversion of glucose to lactate via the glycolytic pathway, a phenomenon mainly regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling. Thus, several glycometabolism-related biomarkers are upregulated. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the immunoexpression of the HIF targets GLUT1, GLUT3, HK2, PFKL, PKM2, pPDH, LDHA, MCT4, and CAIX in OPMD and OSCC samples, in order to identify potential correlations between biomarkers' immunoexpression, clinicopathological features, and prognostic parameters. Methodology OSCC and OPMD samples from 21 and 34 patients (respectively) were retrospectively collected and stained for the different biomarkers by immunohistochemistry. Results CAIX and MCT4 expressions were significantly higher in OSCC samples when compared with OPMD samples, while the rest were also expressed by OPMD. GLUT3 and PKM2 alone, and the concomitant expression of more than four glycometabolism-related biomarkers were significantly correlated with the presence of dysplasia in OPMD. When considering OSCC cases, a trend toward increased expression of biomarkers and poor clinicopathological features was observed, and the differences regarding HK2, PFKL, LDHA and MCT4 expression were significant. Moreover, HK2 and CAIX were correlated with low survival rates. GLUT1 and GLUT3 were significantly associated with poor outcome when their expression was observed in the hypoxic region of malignant lesions. Conclusion OPMD and OSCC cells overexpress glycolysis-related proteins, which is associated with aggressive features and poor patient outcome. Further research is needed to deeply understand the glycolic phenotype in the process of oral carcinogenesis.
RESUMO
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects almost 30% of the adult population. OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the evolution of symptoms in patients diagnosed with AR and septal deviation prior to and following septoplasty (STP). DESIGN AND SETTING: Quasi-experimental study developed in A Coruña University Hospital. METHODS: Patients aged 18-65 years who had been diagnosed with AR and septal deviation were recruited. Obstruction airflow was evaluated before and after surgery, by means of anterior rhinomanometry (RNM). Severity symptoms and quality of life were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the ESPRINT questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 50 subjects underwent STP and 42 were included in this study. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 34.16 ± 9.74 years (range 18-64). Significant reductions in mean VAS and ESPRINT were observed after surgery (P < 0.01). These outcomes were considered to represent an overall improvement in quality of life. The RNM results also improved significantly, from mean values of 478.07 ± 165.4 cm3/s before STP to 826.4 ± 175.5 cm3/s afterwards (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The negative correlations of VAS and ESPRINT with RNM, from before and to after STP, demonstrate the efficacy of scales and questionnaires as objective methods for determining obstruction in the absence of rhinomanometry. Patients with allergic rhinitis and septal deviation showed improvements in obstruction severity and medication use after STP.