Novel Epigenetic Modifiers of Histones Presenting Potent Inhibitory Effects on Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Stemness and Invasive Properties.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare neoplasm known for its indolent clinical course, risk of perineural invasion, and late onset of distant metastasis. Due to the scarcity of samples and the tumor's rarity, progress in developing effective treatments has been historically limited. To tackle this issue, a high-throughput screening of epigenetic drugs was conducted to identify compounds capable of disrupting the invasive properties of the tumor and its cancer stem cells (CSCs). ACC cells were screened for changes in tumor viability, chromatin decondensation, Snail inhibition along tumor migration, and disruption of cancer stem cells. Seven compounds showed potential clinical interest, and further validation showed that Scriptaid emerged as a promising candidate for treating ACC invasion. Scriptaid demonstrated a favorable cellular toxicity index, effectively inhibited Snail expression, induced hyperacetylation of histone, reduced cell migration, and effectively disrupted tumorspheres. Additionally, LMK235 displayed encouraging results in four out of five validation assays, further highlighting its potential in combating tumor invasion in ACC. By targeting the invasive properties of the tumor and CSCs, Scriptaid and LMK235 hold promise as potential treatments for ACC, with the potential to improve patient outcomes and pave the way for further research in this critical area.

Hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors in head and neck cancers: Recent advances and therapeutic challenges.

Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are key cytokines responsible for the production, maturation, and mobilization of the granulocytic and macrophage lineages from the bone marrow, which have been gaining attention for playing pro- and/or anti-tumorigenic roles in cancer. Head and neck cancers (HNCs) represent a group of heterogeneous neoplasms with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Treatment for HNCs is still limited even with the advancements in cancer immunotherapy. Novel treatments for patients with recurrent and metastatic HNCs are urgently needed. This article provides an in-depth review of the role of hematopoietic cytokines such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and interleukin-3 (IL-3; also known as multi-CSF) in the HNCs tumor microenvironment. We have reviewed current results from clinical trials using CSFs as adjuvant therapy to treat HNCs patients, and also clinical findings reported to date on the therapeutic application of CSFs toxicities arising from chemoradiotherapy.

Discovery proteomics reveals potential protein signature associated with malignant phenotype acquisition in pleomorphic adenoma.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the proteomic profile of salivary pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) samples and correlate them with the malignant transformation of the PA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty samples (10 PA, 16 CXPA, and 4 residual PA) were microdissected and submitted to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The proteomic data and protein identification were analyzed through LC-MS/MS spectra using the MaxQuant software. RESULTS: The proteomic analysis identified and quantified a total of 240 proteins in which 135 were found in PA, residual PA, and CXPA. The shared proteins were divided into six subgroups, and the proteins that showed statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) and fold-change > or <2.5 in one subgroup to another subgroup were included. Seven proteins (Apolipoprotein A-I-APOA1, haptoglobin-HP, protein of the synaptonemal complex 1-SYCP1, anion transport protein of band 3-SLC4A1, subunit µ1 of AP-1 complex-AP1M1, beta subunit of hemoglobin-HBB, and dermcidin-DCD) were classified as potential protein signatures, being HP, AP1M1, and HBB with higher abundance for PA to residual PA, APOA1 with higher abundance for PA to CXPA, SLC4A1 with lower abundance in the PA to CXPA, SYCP1with lower abundance for residual PA to CXPA, and DCD with higher abundance in the CXPA with epithelial differentiation to myoepithelial differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: In this work, we demonstrated the comparative proteomic profiling of PA, residual PA, and CXPA, and seven were proposed as protein signatures, some of which may be associated with the malignant phenotype acquisition.

Immunopathological insights into villitis of unknown etiology on the basis of transplant immunology.

Villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) is an inflammatory disease characterized by the infiltration of maternal CD8 +T cells into the placental villi. Although the pathogenesis of VUE is still debated, dysregulation of the immune system appears to be an important factor in the development of the disease. Interaction of maternal T cells with the fetal antigens seems to be the trigger for the VUE onset. In this context, graft vs host disease (GVHD) and allographic rejection seem to share similarities in the VUE immunopathological mechanism, especially those related to immunoregulation. In this review, we compared the immunological characteristics of VUE with allograft rejection, and GVHD favoring a better knowledge of VUE pathogenesis that may contribute to VUE therapeutics strategies in the future.

Oral Teratoma with Hairy Polyp-Like Features: A Brief Report of a Rare Presentation.

We present a 21-day-old female child presenting with a large oral epithelialized tumor implanted at the rhinopharynx and ethmoid plate through a cleft palate, associated with feeding and respiratory difficulties. The histopathological exam showed mature central adipose tissue, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and neurovascular structures, lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Proliferative cartilaginous, glandular, lymphatic, bony, and immature myxoid tissue was seen at the posterior region and insertion. Despite the characterization of the tumor as a teratoma containing structures derived from the three embryonic leaflets, the anterior portion presented a microscopic bigeminal pattern fully compatible with hairy polyp.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Exploring frontiers of combinatorial approaches with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint therapy.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the most common malignant tumors that arise in the head and neck. Despite advances in the management of affected patients, the mortality burden of these tumors is increasing every year. The discovery of a vast genetic landscape has revealed new opportunities for therapeutic intervention of head and neck SCC (HNSCC). Molecular alterations of tyrosine kinases are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer and may help keep cancer cells from growing. Currently, many drugs inhibit this enzyme family and are being studied by the pharmaceutical industry opening the room to expand the use and efficacy of this therapeutic modality alone or using combinatorial approaches including checkpoint inhibitors for treatment. In this paper, we explored the role of tyrosine kinases inhibitors of HNSCC, and clinical trials related to these molecules, expecting to provide references for HNSCC therapy.

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma from the salivary and lacrimal glands and the breast: Different clinical outcomes to the same tumor.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a biphasic malignant lesion that can develop at various anatomical sites. Salivary and lacrimal ACC lesions have a high risk of local invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis. In more distant organs, such as the breast, ACC is a rarer and less aggressive lesion. One of the major predictors of mortality of ACC is perineural invasion, which can be seen in 30 % of breast lesions, 85% of salivary lesions, and almost 100 % of lacrimal gland tumors. The biological differences between these three ACC tumors are still poorly understood. We focused on the current understanding of the genetic variations observed on ACC tumors and prognostic differences associated with distinct anatomical sites. A special effort was made to present the currently available therapies alongside the emerging strategies under development.

Protein markers of primary salivary gland tumors: A systematic review of proteomic profiling studies.

OBJECTIVE: To integrate all the available data published in the English literature regarding the protein diagnostic and/or prognostic markers in salivary gland tumors identified by mass spectrometry (MS)-based discovery proteomics. DESIGN: An extensive search was carried out using MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Manual searching in Google Scholar and assessment of the reference list of the included articles also was performed. The risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool for the specific type of study. RESULTS: A total of 1092 articles were initially retrieved within which 6 were used for data extraction, resulting in 145 cases of salivary gland tumors. The data was composted by eleven salivary gland tumor types. In total, 2136 proteins were detected by MS-based discovery proteomics in salivary gland tumors. Ninety-one proteins were proposed as potential diagnostic and/or prognostic markers. Of these, some have been identified in one or more studies, whereas fifteen were in common across studies and a total of seventy-six were non-repeat proteins. CONCLUSION: In summary, we compiled data about the proteomic profile of potential diagnostic and/or prognostic protein markers of the salivary gland tumors detected by MS-based discovery proteomics. The proteins ANXA1, ANXA5, CAPG, CRYAB, FGB, GNB2L1, IGHG1, PPIA, S100A9, and SOD1 were proposed as the most common potential diagnostic markers of salivary gland tumors.

Tumor microenvironment in salivary gland carcinomas: An orchestrated state of chaos.

Salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) are rare tumors of heterogeneous morphology and many histological subtypes. Like other tumors, the SGC mass consists of a varied population of malignant cells and a diverse array of immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, cytokines, chemokines, extracellular matrix proteins, and metalloproteinases, collectively known as the tumor microenvironment (TME). This chaotic network serves as an important physical mediator of cancer cell growth. In this review, we provided current insights into the TME of some of the most common SGC. Here, we highlighted the histological heterogeneity of these tumors, delineated the nature/intensity of inflammatory infiltrates, and the mechanisms involved in immunological escaping related to each SGC subtype.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the lip: An immunohistochemical study of a challenging case.

INTRODUCTION: Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) or sarcomatoid carcinoma, is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that has a variable proportion of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. Here, we reported an immunohistochemical study of a spindle cell carcinoma with a challenging morphological diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old woman with a previous history of nodular melanoma was referred for evaluation of a painful papule in the lower lip. After surgical resection, neoplastic cells showed focal positivity for CK-14, αSMA, p63, and confirmed the strong positivity for S100 and vimentin. Tumor cells were negative for HMB-45, Melan A, SOX-10, AE1/AE3, 34ßE12, CK5-6, CAM5.2, EMA, desmin, calponin, CD10, CD34, and CD68. With these findings, a diagnosis of SpCC was rendered. The patient presented lung and dorsal metastases after 12 months and after 3 years of follow-up, the patient died. CONCLUSION: In summary, a careful correlation of microscopy and immunohistochemical characteristics is required for the proper diagnosis of this lesion.

Salivary gland cancer in the setting of tumor microenvironment: Translational routes for therapy.

Salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) are aggressive cancers that arise in minor and major salivary glands. Given the complexity and the multiple subtypes of this class of tumors, diagnosis and, treatment may be challenging for clinicians. Recently the tumor microenvironment, composed mainly of immune and stromal cells are been a target for treatment. Accumulating evidence indicates that cancer immunotherapies have made a significant impact on oncologic patients, however immunotherapeutic attempts in SGC have been shown limited improvement. Advances in the models that best translate aggressive SGC are needed for the development of clinical protocols grouping immunotherapies and other classes of drugs that will promote better responses in patients with advanced SGC stages. In this review, we introduced different experimental models for SGC with a focus on tumor microenvironment highlighting potential therapy applications for each model.

Two sides of the same coin: Insights into the myoepithelial cells in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma development.

The myoepithelial cell seems to play an important role as a tumor suppressor in the development of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Nevertheless, interesting aspects concerning the other side of the coin, i.e., the contribution of the myoepithelial cell to cell proliferation, were brought to light. Here we highlighted the studies in which myoepithelial cells were presented as tumor suppressors and promoters in the context of PA malignant transformation. In conclusion, even if in a paracrine way, divergent signals can alter the suppressor role of the myoepithelial cell and induce it to compose a microenvironment propitious to the tumor progression of the malignant cells. This would cause myoepithelial cells to succumb and malignant epithelial cells to initiate progression beyond the basal membrane.

Sociodemographic and clinicopathological profile of 80 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma / Perfil sociodemográfico e clinicopatológico de 80 casos de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe demographic and clinicopathologic profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases from incisional biopsies collected at the Nova Friburgo Health Institute of the Fluminense Federal University [Instituto de Saúde de Nova Friburgo da Universidade Federal Fluminense (ISNF/UFF)] and at the Raul Sertã Municipal Hospital [Hospital Municipal Raul Sertã (HMRS)]. Methods: Oral Pathology Laboratory records from the ISNF/UFF were reviewed and all cases of OSCC were primarily selected. Cases from ISNF/UFF and HMRS were selected and had their demographic data collected from the medical records. Clinical characteristics were evaluated using the images of the lesions taken on the biopsy day and the laboratory files. The histological slides were later reviewed. Results: Eighty cases of OSCC were identified. Most patients were male (56.7%), with a mean age of 60 years, smoker (62.71%) and/or alcoholic (44.55%). The most affected anatomic site was the tongue (39.49%), presenting mainly as an ulcer (39.49%). Microscopically, the well-differentiated lesions were more common (35.44%), and the mean counting of mitoses was 5.5/10 high-power field. Conclusion: The profile of OSCC patients in Nova Friburgo partly reflects the world literature, with emphasis on the following differences: low average number of mitoses found in the histopathological analysis and prevalence of well-differentiated lesions. Such differences may be a result of the characteristic variations of the local population, reinforcing the importance of conducting epidemiological studies that demonstrate OSCC peculiarities in different regions.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Trazar el perfil sociodemográfico y clínico de los casos de biopsia incisional de carcinoma oral de células escamosas (COCE) recogidos en el Instituto de Saúde de Nova Friburgo de la Universidade Federal Fluminense (ISNF/UFF) y en el Hospital Municipal Raul Sertã (HMRS). Métodos: Se revisaron los archivos del Laboratorio de Patología Oral, y todos los casos de COCE han sido primariamente seleccionados. Los casos procedentes del ISNF/UFF y del HMRS han sido seleccionados y sus datos demográficos han sido recogidos a partir de los historiales médicos. Las características clínicas fueron evaluadas basándose en las fotografías de las lesiones sacadas en el día de la biopsia y en las informaciones descriptas en las boletas de solicitud del laboratorio. Los portaobjetos histopatológicos fueron posteriormente revisadas. Resultados: Ochenta casos de COCE fueron identificados. La mayoría de los pacientes era del sexo masculino (56,7%), con edad media de 60 años, fumadores (62,71%) y/o alcohólicos (44,55%). La localización anatómica más afectada fue la lengua (39,49%), presentándose, principalmente, como una úlcera (39,49%). Microscópicamente, las lesiones bien diferenciadas fueron las más comunes (35,44%), y la media de mitosis cuantificada fue de 5,5/10 campos de aumento mayor. Conclusión: El perfil de los pacientes con COCE em Nova Friburgo refleja, parcialmente, la literatura mundial, destacando las siguientes diferencias: bajo número medio de mitosis encontradas en el análisis histopatológico y prevalencia de lesiones bien diferenciadas. Dichas diferencias pueden ser resultado de variaciones características de la población local, reforzando la importancia de la realización de estudios epidemiológicos que evidencien las particularidades de COCE en diferentes regiones.

RESUMO Objetivo: Traçar o perfil sociodemográfico e clinicopatológico dos casos de biópsia incisional de carcinoma de células escamosas bucal (CCEB) coletados no Instituto de Saúde de Nova Friburgo da Universidade Federal Fluminense (ISNF/UFF) e no Hospital Municipal Raul Sertã (HMRS). Métodos: Os arquivos do Laboratório de Patologia Oral foram revisados, e todos os casos de CCEB foram primariamente selecionados. Os casos oriundos do ISNF/UFF e do HMRS foram selecionados e tiveram seus dados demográficos coletados a partir dos prontuários. As características clínicas foram avaliadas com base nas fotografias das lesões tiradas no dia da biópsia e nas informações descritas nas fichas de requisição laboratorial. As lâminas histopatológicas foram revisadas posteriormente. Resultados: Oitenta casos de CCEB foram identificados. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (56,7%), com idade média de 60 anos, tabagista (62,71%) e/ou etilista (44,55%). A localização anatômica mais acometida foi a língua (39,49%), apresentando-se, principalmente, como uma úlcera (39,49%). Microscopicamente, as lesões bem diferenciadas foram as mais comuns (35,44%), e a média de mitoses quantificada foi de 5,5/10 campos de grande aumento. Conclusão: O perfil dos pacientes com CCEB em Nova Friburgo reflete, em parte, a literatura mundial, com destaque para as seguintes diferenças: baixo número médio de mitoses encontradas na análise histopatológica e prevalência de lesões bem diferenciadas. Tais diferenças podem ser resultado das variações características da população local, reforçando a importância da realização de estudos epidemiológicos que evidenciem as particularidades de CCEB em diferentes regiões.