[Expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in keratocystic odontogenic tumor before and after decompression].

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) before and after decompression. METHODS: Twenty two pairs of paraffin-embeded tissue specimens of KCOT were collected and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis of RANKL.The data were analyzed with SPSS17.0 software package for paired t test. RESULTS: RANKL positive cells were observed in the preoperative KCOT epithelium. The expression of RANKL was down-regulated after decompression(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Decrease of RANKL expression after decompression may facilitate the lining epithelium of KCOT transforming to normal oral mucosal epithelium.

Regulatory T cells, especially ICOS+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells, are increased in the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment and predict reduced survival.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumour, especially in Asia. Its prognosis is poor, and there are limited methods for predicting patient survival. This study was carried out to analyse the prognostic value of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), especially regulatory T cells (Tregs), in HCC patients. TILs were analysed in 57 randomly selected HCC patients. The prognostic effects of groups with high and low numbers were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier and Cox model analyses. Although higher densities of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) as well as CD56+ NK cells and CD68+ macrophages were observed in peritumoural tissue, increased numbers of forkhead/winged helix transcription factor P3+ (FOXP3+) Tregs were found in intratumoural tissue. Additionally, regarding ICOS+ FOXP3+ Tregs, an increased prevalence in carcinoma was not only associated with the absolute number but also with the percentage of FOXP3+ cells. Higher Treg levels in tumour tissues indicated a worse prognosis, and the FOXP3+ Tregs/CD4+ T cells ratio was an independent prognostic factor for OS. Therefore, FOXP3+ Tregs, especially ICOS+ FOXP3+ Tregs, contribute to the immunosuppressive HCC microenvironment. High tumour-infiltrating Tregs are thought to be an unfavourable prognostic indicator of HCC.