Immunohistochemical evaluation of MMP-2, MMP-9 and CD31/microvascular density in squamous cell carcinomas of the floor of the mouth.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and CD31/microvascular density in squamous cell carcinomas of the floor of the mouth and to correlate the results with demographic, survival, clinical (TNM staging) and histopathological variables (tumor grade, perineural invasion, embolization and bone invasion). Data from medical records and diagnoses of 41 patients were reviewed. Histological sections were subjected to immunostaining using primary antibodies for human MMP-2, MMP-9 and CD31 and streptavidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase system. Histomorphometric analyses quantified positivity for MMPs (20 fields per slide, 100 points grade, ×200) and for CD31 (microvessels <50 µm in the area of the highest vascularization, 5 fields per slide, 100 points grade, ×400). Statistical design was composed by non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test (investigating the association between numerical variables and immunostainings), chi-square frequency test (in contingency tables), Fisher's exact test (when at least one expected frequency was less than 5 in 2×2 tables), Kaplan-Meier method (estimated probabilities of overall survival) and Iogrank test (comparison of survival curves), all with a significance level of 5%. There was a statistically significant correlation between immunostaining for MMP-2 and lymph node metastasis. Factors associated negatively with survival were N stage, histopathological grade, perineural invasion and immunostaining for MMP-9. There was no significant association between immunoexpression of CD31 and the other variables. The intensity of immunostaining for MMP-2 can be indicative of metastasis in lymph nodes and for MMP-9 of a lower probability of survival.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of MMP-2, MMP-9 and CD31/microvascular density in squamous cell carcinomas of the floor of the mouth

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and CD31/microvascular density in squamous cell carcinomas of the floor of the mouth and to correlate the results with demographic, survival, clinical (TNM staging) and histopathological variables (tumor grade, perineural invasion, embolization and bone invasion). Data from medical records and diagnoses of 41 patients were reviewed. Histological sections were subjected to immunostaining using primary antibodies for human MMP-2, MMP-9 and CD31 and streptavidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase system. Histomorphometric analyses quantified positivity for MMPs (20 fields per slide, 100 points grade, ×200) and for CD31 (microvessels <50 µm in the area of the highest vascularization, 5 fields per slide, 100 points grade, ×400). Statistical design was composed by non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test (investigating the association between numerical variables and immunostainings), chi-square frequency test (in contingency tables), Fisher's exact test (when at least one expected frequency was less than 5 in 2×2 tables), Kaplan-Meier method (estimated probabilities of overall survival) and Iogrank test (comparison of survival curves), all with a significance level of 5%. There was a statistically significant correlation between immunostaining for MMP-2 and lymph node metastasis. Factors associated negatively with survival were N stage, histopathological grade, perineural invasion and immunostaining for MMP-9. There was no significant association between immunoexpression of CD31 and the other variables. The intensity of immunostaining for MMP-2 can be indicative of metastasis in lymph nodes and for MMP-9 of a lower probability of survival.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a imunoexpressão de MMP-2, MMP-9 e CD31/densidade microvascular em carcinomas espinocelulares de soalho bucal e correlacionar os resultados com variáveis demográficas, de sobrevida, clínicas (estadiamento TNM) e histopatológicas (grau de diferenciação tumoral, invasão perineural, embolização e invasão óssea). Dados de prontuários e de diagnósticos de 41 pacientes foram revisados. Cortes histológicos foram submetidos à imunomarcação usando anticorpos primários para MMP-2, MMP-9 e CD31 humanos e sistema streptoavidina-biotina-imunoperoxidase. Análise histomorfométrica quantificou a positividade para MMPs (20 campos, grade de 100 pontos por lâmina, ×200) e para CD31 (microvasos <50 µm na área de maior vascularização, 5 campos, grade de 100 pontos por lâmina, ×400). O planejamento estatístico foi composto pelo teste não paramétrico U de Mann-Whitney (verificação da associação entre variáveis numéricas e imunomarcações), teste de frequências do qui-quadrado (em tabelas de contingência), teste exato de Fisher (quando pelo menos uma frequência esperada foi menor do que 5 em tabelas 2×2), método de Kaplan-Meier (estimativa de probabilidades de sobrevida global) e teste de Iogrank (comparação das curvas de sobrevida), todos com nível de significância de 5%. Houve correlação estatisticamente significante entre imunomarcação para MMP-2 e metástase em linfonodo. Os fatores relacionados negativamente com a sobrevida foram estadiamento N, gradação histopatológica, invasão perineural e imunomarcação de MMP-9. Não houve associação significativa entre imunoexpressão de CD31 e as demais variáveis. A intensidade de imunomarcação para MMP-2 pode ser indicativa de metástase em linfonodo e para MMP-9 de uma menor probabilidade de sobrevida.

Expression of telomerase RNA in oesophageal and oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: Telomerase is detectable in 85% of cancers, but is largely repressed in normal tissues. Human telomerase RNA (hTR) inhibition is a promising anti-cancer strategy, but requires differential expression between malignant and normal tissue. METHOD: Archival paraffin sections from 48 oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (23 floor of mouth, 25 tongue) and 56 oesophageal carcinomas (41 SCC, 15 adenocarcinomas) were evaluated for hTR expression using a radiolabelled riboprobe. Results were compared with expression in controls and adjacent histologically normal tissue. Statistical analysis was by the chi2 test. RESULTS: hTR was detectable in 76% of oral SCC overall (floor of mouth 65%, tongue 88%, P=0.61), and in 54% of oesophageal cancers (SCC 51%, adenocarcinoma 60%, P=0.56). Detectable hTR expression was significantly more frequent in oral SCC than oesophageal SCC (P=0.01). hTR expression was only detected in normal tissue at low levels in basal squamous epithelium. There was agreement of hTR expression between 8/9 surgically excised carcinomas and their initial diagnostic biopsies. CONCLUSION: Tumour-specific hTR expression confirms hTR inhibition as a possible therapeutic strategy in some if not all oesophageal and oral cancers. Generally concordant hTR status between biopsy and resection suggest that biopsy may have a role in selecting candidates for telomerase inhibition therapy.

[Development of neuromuscular spindles in the muscles of the floor of the human oral cavity during intrauterine development]. / Razvitie nervno-myshechnykh vereten v myshtsakh dna polosti rta cheloveka vo vnutriutrobnom periode.

By means of histological, neurohistological, histochemical and morphometrical techniques the development, number and histotopography of neuromuscular spindles have been studied in 860 muscles of the mouth cavity fundus obtained from 108 human embryos, fetuses and newborns. In genioglossal and in geniohyoid muscles, the spindles are layed down at the 7th week of gestation. Their differentiation starts at the 9th week -- with forming the first sensitive endings, nuclear bursa and cellular elements of the spindle capsule. By the 14th week, the subcapsular space becomes evident, and by the 20th week of embryogenesis neuromuscular spindles resemble definitive structures. In the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, the foundation and initial differentiation of the spindles is retarded. The mylohyoid muscle has no spindles. Morphogenesis of neuromuscular spindles has been studied with special reference to the beginning of functional activity of the fundal muscles in the mouth cavity during embryogenesis in view of the theory of systemogenesis.