Advances in the management of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer

Patients with human papillomavirus- (HPV-) related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have a better prognosis than HPV-negative OPSCC when treated with standard high-dose cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy. Consistent with this assertion and due to younger age at diagnosis, novel approaches tominimize treatment sequelaewhile preserving survival outcomes become of paramount importance. Here, we critically reviewed the evidence-based literature supporting the deintensification strategies in HPV-related OPSCC management, including radiotherapy dose and/or volume reduction, replacement of cisplatin radiosensitising chemotherapy, and the use of transoral surgery. Undoubtedly, further researches are needed before changing the standard of care in this setting of patients

DNA Methylation in the Diagnosis of Monogenic Diseases.

DNA methylation in the human genome is largely programmed and shaped by transcription factor binding and interaction between DNA methyltransferases and histone marks during gamete and embryo development. Normal methylation profiles can be modified at single or multiple loci, more frequently as consequences of genetic variants acting in cis or in trans, or in some cases stochastically or through interaction with environmental factors. For many developmental disorders, specific methylation patterns or signatures can be detected in blood DNA. The recent use of high-throughput assays investigating the whole genome has largely increased the number of diseases for which DNA methylation analysis provides information for their diagnosis. Here, we review the methylation abnormalities that have been associated with mono/oligogenic diseases, their relationship with genotype and phenotype and relevance for diagnosis, as well as the limitations in their use and interpretation of results

Valutazione in vitro di un test strumentale per fini diagnostci e preventivi(metodo non distruttivo)

Scopo del lavoro: proporre all'odontoiatra un metodo di indagine strumetale (esame ad ultrasuoni non distruttivo) finalizzato alla valutazione della qualità dell'interfaccia tra due o più materiali diversit rs loro. se messo a putno, tale strumento potrebbe essere altresì utilizzato dall'igienista dentale quale ulteriore e preventivo supporto diagnostico all'operato dell'odontoiatra. Metodi: ai fini della ricerca sono stati utilizzati denti appena estratti; dopo taratura dello strumento ad ultrasuoni si è verificata la qualità di adesione di alcuni materiali compositi presenti in commercio. Risultati e conclusioni: l'odontoiatria adesiva ha acquisito un ruolo preponderante nella pratica odopntoiatrica e l'evoluzione tecnologica è sicuramente alla abse del notevole incremento della qualità dell'adesione dei materiali resinosi alle strutture dure del dente, essenzialmente dovuto all'introduzione nella procedura di nuove generazioni di adesivi e della tecnica della mordenzatura. Si rende pertanto necessario l'utilizzo di strumenti che possano verioficare, in maniera assolutamente inncua l'effettiva adesione dei materiali utilizzati alle strututre dure del dente

Nanotechnology in oral cavity carcinoma: recent trends and treatment opportunities

Oral cavity carcinoma (OCC) remains an ongoing public health problem. Emerging nanotechnology provides alternative treatment approaches. This review covers the up-to-date literature in the human OCC treatment field. We explored the growing body of evidence to reveal novel and highly promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanotechnology in this field. Various types of nanoparticles have been tested for applications in OCC. Imaging modalities in addition to nanocarriers are discussed. The encouraging contribution of lymphotropic nanoparticles contrast in the diagnosis of metastatic cervical lymph nodes needs to be confirmed. The development of the sentinel lymph node procedure and photodynamic therapy may lead to breakthrough therapies in order improve clinical outcomes and quality of life. In this perspective, cancer nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of OCC patients

Cephalometric evaluation of the pharyngeal airway space after orthognathic surgery and distraction osteogenesis of the jaw bones

Objective: Orthognathic surgeries and distraction osteogenesis (DO) of the jaw bones cause a change in the pharyngeal airway space (PAS). The aim of our study was to evaluate the magnitude of changes occurring in the pharyngeal airway after mandibular set-back surgeries and DO of maxilla/mandible. Materials and Methods: The study undertaken was a retrospective cephalometric study. Subjects included in our study had undergone mandibular set-back surgery or DO of maxilla/mandible. Lateral cephalograms of the subjects taken pre-operatively (T0), immediate post-operatively (T1) and after a minimum follow-up period of 6 months (T2) were studied. The cephalograms were traced manually and the following parameters were evaluated: Surface area of the PAS, pharyngeal airway width at the level of the base of the tongue, position of the hyoid bone and the tongue. Repeated measure ANOVA test was done to assess the presence of any significant changes in the proposed parameters at T0, T1 and T2. A correlation analysis was made between the mandibular/maxillary movements and the corresponding changes in the PAS. Results: Surgical movements of maxilla and mandible do have an effect on the pharyngeal airway. Conclusion: It was clearly evident that the effects of mandibular movements on the PAS and the hyoid bone is more significant than the maxillary movements

Burkitt lymphoma as fourth neoplasia in a patient affected by cowden syndrome with a novel PTEN germline pathogenic variant

Alterations of the PTEN pathway play a role in the pathogenesis of some aggressive non-Hodgkin B cell lymphomas and other cancers, while germline PTEN mutations predispose to the cancer-associated Cowden syndrome (CS)