ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The scapular tip free flap (STFF) is becoming more popular for oromandibular reconstruction. This article reviewed the early and late outcomes in a larger series over 9 years. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive patients who underwent oromandibular reconstruction using the STFF at London Health Sciences Centre. Demographic information, surgical data, and complications were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: From April 2008 to March 2017, 81 STFFs were performed in 80 patients. The average bony reconstruction measured 5.4 cm. Bone-only flaps were utilized in 24 cases (29.6%). Five cases (6.2%) required a single osteotomy. There were 3 (3.7%) flap failures. There were 7 plate extrusions and 11 cases of radiographic nonunion. CONCLUSION: The STFF is a reliable option with acceptable early and long-term results. The STFF may be considered as a first line option especially for shorter bone defects or in conjunction with complex soft tissue requirements.
Subject(s)
Free Tissue Flaps , Mandibular Reconstruction/methods , Scapula/transplantation , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Mandibular Neoplasms/surgery , Mandibular Reconstruction/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/transplantation , Operative Time , Osteoradionecrosis/surgery , Postoperative Complications , Reoperation/statistics & numerical data , Retrospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Effective targeted therapies for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) present an unmet clinical need. There is evidence that TNBCs often have increased expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and of osteopontin (OPN). OPN-mediated signaling can activate EGFR-dependent signaling pathways. Here, we assessed OPN as a potential predictive biomarker for response to anti-EGFR therapy in TNBC. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using two different TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231, we investigated the impact of stable expression of OPN on efficacy of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in vitro. RESULTS: We observed that breast cancer cells engineered to overexpress OPN are more sensitive to growth inhibition by erlotinib than control cells. The level of response was related to the level of OPN expression, possibly due to increased phosphorylation status of EGFR Tyr1068. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that OPN expression levels are related to sensitivity of TNBC cells to growth inhibition by erlotinib. OPN thus is a promising predictive biomarker for anti-EGFR therapy in breast cancer.
