Evaluation of Minichromosome Maintenance-3 (MCM3) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: The expression of minichromosome maintenance-3 (MCM3) proteins and their diagnostic value in oral mucosal dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is not well known. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of minichromosome maintenance 3 (MCM3) as a biomarker for diagnosis of oral premalignant lesions and SCC. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this study, 31 oral SCC, 20 dysplastic epithelium and 20 controls were selected and immunohistochemical staining was done for MCM3. ANOVA, Tukey HSD, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the groups and the correlation between different grades. RESULTS: There was increasing trend of MCM3 from control to dysplastic epithelium and from dysplastic epithelium to SCC both in suprabasal layers and in total epithelial layers. MCM3 expression was elevated with increasing the grade of dysplasia, but there was no statistically significant difference (p= 0.93). The expression was also increased in high grades of SCC compared to lower grades. CONCLUSION: MCM3 can be used as a useful biomarker in the diagnosis of premalignant lesions and oral SCC.

Actinomyces colonization in keratocystic odontogenic tumor: a case report.

Actinomycosis is an anaerobic infection that involves the craniofacial region and its colonization has rarely been reported in the developmental odontogenic cysts. In the present report, a case of odontogenic keratocyst (which is now called keratocystic odontogenic tumor) with the colonization of actinomyces is introduced and its significance is discussed.

In vitro comparison of cytotoxic and antibacterial effects of 16 commercial toothpastes.

BACKGROUND: Toothpastes are considered as one of the most common and usable cosmetic and hygienic materials. Such materials contain chemicals which may have an adverse effect on oral tissue in humans. The present study aimed to compare the toxic effect of current commercial toothpastes including Iranian products and imported types which are consumed globally on oral epithelial- and HeLa cells as well as to evaluate their antibacterial effect on Streptococcus mutans in Shiraz, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 16 types of commercial toothpastes were prepared, and their effect was determined on primer epithelial cells of the oral cavity and HeLa cells. Toothpastes anti streptococcal property and toxicity were examined in vitro in different intervals of 1, 2, and 5 min. Data collection and analysis were done using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: All experimented toothpastes revealed variable toxic effects on cultured cells. Through an increase in the time of exposure with toothpastes, the toxicity of these materials substantially increased (P = 0.005). On the other hand, all tested toothpastes showed varying degrees of anti-streptococcal effect in the laboratory (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The most cytotoxic effect on primer epithelial cells of oral mucosa and HeLa cells, respectively, belongs to Bath, Daroogar2, Latifeh2, Crend, Sehat, Nasim and Aqua fresh toothpastes; however, the least cytotoxic effect on primer epithelial cells of oral mucosa and HeLa cells, respectively, belongs to Pronamel followed by Crest (sensitive), Close-up, Oral-B, Signal, Colgate, Paradent, and AME.

Metastasis-associated protein 1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas: correlation with metastasis and angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) has been associated with poor prognosis in several carcinomas. Recent investigation has found that in different tumors, MTA1 protein significantly correlates with tumor angiogenesis, suggesting that MTA1 may be a possible angiogenesis-promoting molecule in malignant tumors. Thus, the current study was performed to determine the role of MTA1 protein in the biological behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relation with tumor angiogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, 44 oral squamous cell carcinomas and 15 normal epitheliums were reviewed by IHC staining for MTA1 and CD105. RESULTS: Frequency of MTA1 expression in SCCs was recorded as 97.7%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (33.3%). Mean percentage of MTA1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas was 76.88 ± 25.33% which was significantly higher than that of the control group (22.81 ± 10.83). Our data showed a correlation between MTA1 expression with lymph node metastasis, tumor size and, stage. Evaluation of the correlation between MTA1 protein expression and micro vessel density showed that high micro vessel density was detected more frequently in tumors with MTA1 protein overexpression than in those without overexpression. CONCLUSION: In the present study, high expression of the MTA1 protein was seen in oral squamous cell carcinoma, and was closely associated with tumor progression and increased tumor angiogenesis. The findings may indicate that MTA1 protein has clinical potentials as a useful indicator of progressive phenotype, a promising prognostic predictor to identify patients with poor prognosis and may be a potential novel therapeutic target of anti-angiogenesis for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with HNSCC.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular endothelial growth factor is thought to be an important angiogenic factor involved in tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the relation between tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, and their correlation with clinicopathologic features. METHODS: Samples were collected from 30 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and 24 healthy volunteers. Immunohistochemical analysis was used for tissue expression and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure serum and salivary levels. RESULTS: No vascular endothelial growth factor staining was observed in normal tissues, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor expression was seen in 6 patients (20%). Mean serum level of VEGF was 83.7±104.47 in patients and 50.04±32.94 in controls. Mean salivary level of vascular endothelial growth factor was 174.41±115.07 in patients and 149.58±101.88 in controls. No significant difference was found by Mann-Whitney test between controls and patients (p=0.411, p=0.944, respectively). No correlation was found between vascular endothelial growth factor tissue expression and its serum and salivary level. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor was found in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, suggesting its role in the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but no relation was found between tissue expression, serum levels, and salivary levels of this marker.

Tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with HNSCC / Expressão tecidual, soro e níveis salivares de VEGF em pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeça e pescoço

Introduction: Vascular endothelial growth factor is thought to be an important angiogenic factor involved in tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. Objective: The present study evaluated the relation between tissue expression, serum and salivary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, and their correlation with clinicopathologic features. Methods: Samples were collected from 30 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and 24 healthy volunteers. Immunohistochemical analysis was used for tissue expression and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure serum and salivary levels. Results: No vascular endothelial growth factor staining was observed in normal tissues, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor expression was seen in 6 patients (20%). Mean serum level of VEGF was 83.7 ± 104.47 in patients and 50.04 ± 32.94 in controls. Mean salivary level of vascular endothelial growth factor was 174.41 ± 115.07 in patients and 149.58 ± 101.88 in controls. No significant difference was found by Mann-Whitney test between controls and patients (p = 0.411, p = 0.944, respectively). No correlation was found between vascular endothelial growth factor tissue expression and its serum and salivary level. Conclusion: Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor was found in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, suggesting its role in the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but no relation was found between tissue expression, serum levels, and salivary levels of this marker. .

Introdução: Acredita-se que o fator de crescimento vascular endotelial (FCEV) seja um importante fator angiogênico envolvido no crescimento, na progressão e na metástase tumoral. Objetivo: O presente estudo avalia a relacão entre a expressão tecidual e os níveis séricos e salivares do FCEV em carcinomas de células escamosas da cabeca e pescoco (CCECPs) e sua correlacão com aspectos clinicopatológicos. Método: Foram coletadas amostras de 30 pacientes com CCECP e de 24 voluntários saudáveis. Utilizamos análise imuno-histoquímica para a expressão tecidual e ELISA para determinação dos níveis séricos e salivares. Resultados: Não foi observada coloração para FCEV nos tecidos normais, enquanto que foi observada expressão de FCEV em seis pacientes (20%). O nível sérico médio de FCEV foi 83,7 ± 104,47 em pacientes e 50,04 ± 32,94 em controles. O nível salivar médio de FCEV foi de 174,41 ± 115,07 em pacientes e 149,58 ± 101,88 em controles. Não foi observada diferenca significativa pelo teste de Mann-Whitney entre controles e pacientes (respectivamente, p = 0,411, p = 0,944). Não foi observada relacão entre a expressão tecidual de FCEV e seus níveis séricos e salivares. Conclusão: A expressão elevada de FCEV foi observada em pacientes com CCECP, e isso sugere seu papel na patogênese de CCECP, mas não foi observada relacão entre a expressão tecidual e os níveis séricos e salivares desse marcador. .

Ctla-4 gene polymorphism in +49 a/g position: a case control study on patients with oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a premalignant mucocutaneous disease in which genetic factors and immune responses play a major role. Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a co-inhibitory molecule that down-regulates immune responses to prevent autoimmunity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between polymorphism of the CTLA-4 gene in +49 A/G position and OLP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with OLP (16 males, 19 females, with a mean age of [± standard deviation (SD)] 55.92 [± 12.83]) and 105 sex- and aged-matched healthy subjects (48 males, 57 females, with a mean age of [± SD] 56.82 [± 14.71]) were recruited in this study. Genomic DNA of both groups was extracted from white blood cells and then CTLA-4 genotypes and allele frequencies were investigated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The data were collected and examined using Pearson's Chi square test (SPSS version 11.5). RESULTS: In the patient group, AA, AG, and GG genotypes occurred in position 49 A/G in the CTLA-4 gene with the frequency of 19 (55.9%), 11 (31.4%), and 3 (8.8%), respectively. With respect to the control group, they occurred with the frequency of 58 (55.2%), 39 (37.1%), and 8 (7.6%), respectively. As far as the frequency of A and G alleles in this position was concerned, we had, respectively, 49 (74.24%) and 17 (25.75%) for patients and, respectively, 155 (73.80%) and 55 (26.19%) for the control group. The calculated values were not significantly different between these groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of CTLA-4 genes in position +49 A/G did not show any significant relationship with each other in OLP patients in Shiraz, Iran.

Upregulation of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-3 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known as a fundamental regulator of angiogenesis that accelerates cellular proliferation, vascular permeability, and endothelial cell migration and is an inhibitor of apoptosis. Extracellular matrix degradation by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) is necessary for endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Accordingly, the objective of the present study was to determine the circulating levels of VEGF and MMP3 and their relation in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Using an ELISA kit, the circulating levels of VEGF and MMP-3 in the sera of 45 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 45 healthy controls were assessed. Mean VEGF levels in the sera of patients with OSCC (122.4 ± 36.1) were significantly higher than those in controls (65.3 ± 23.4); however, no relation was found between VEGF levels and clinicopathologic factors. The serum MMP-3 level in OSCC patients was significantly higher (9.45 ± 4.6 ng/ml, n=45) than that in healthy controls (5.9 ± 3.6 ng/ml, n=45). There was no correlation in serum MMP-3 concentration with clinicopathologic features such as tumor stage, tumor size, nodal status, and histological grade. A significant relationship was found between serum levels of VEGF and MMP3. This study concludes that VEGF and MMP3 may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of OSCC but cannot be used as a tool for monitoring tumor progression. Moreover, the role of VEGF in the regulation of angiogenesis is in part due to activation of MMP-3.

Orofacial pathologic lesions in children and adolescents: a clinicopathological study in southern iran.

OBJECTIVE: Oral and maxillofacial lesions vary regarding their clinical presentation in different populations. Until now, oral and maxillofacial lesions in Iranian children and adolescents have not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the type and distribution of biopsied oral lesions among children and adolescents in Southern Iran. METHODS: All the patients referred to the pathology department of Shiraz Faculty of Dentistry from 1991-2009 were enrolled in this retrospective, case-series study. The information regarding the patients' age, gender as well as the histopathologic type and anatomic location of the biopsied oral lesions in patients under 18 years was collected from patients' medical documents and were analyzed by SPSS version 11. Findings : Out of 2984 patients, 576 (19.3 %) cases were children and adolescents under 18 years. The most prevalent category was soft tissue lesions (45.5 %). The most common lesion was peripheral giant cell granuloma (15.6%) followed by dentigerous cyst (14.2%) and pyogenic granuloma (11.3%). Gingiva was the most common affected site. Male to female ratio was 1.2. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that near 20% of orofacial lesions occur in children and adolescents with rather equal male to female ratio. The majority of lesions were soft tissue diseases with a reactive nature. Unlike other studies we had higher rates of soft tissue lesions. These data can help dentists and surgeons for more accurate management of their patients.