Prognostic utility of chromosomal instability detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization in fine-needle aspirates from oral squamous cell carcinomas

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although chromosomal instability (CIN) has been detected in many kinds of human malignancies by means of various methods, there is no practical assessment for small clinical specimens. In this study, we evaluated CIN in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsied oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) using fluorescence <it>in situ </it>hybridization (FISH) analysis, and investigated its prognostic significance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To evaluate CIN status of tumors, FISH with genomic probes for the centromeres of chromosomes 7, 9, and 11 was performed on specimens obtained by FNA from 77 patients with primary oral SCCs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>High-grade CIN (CIN3) was observed in 11.7% (9/77) of patients with oral SCCs and was associated significantly with reduced disease-free survival (<it>p </it>= .008) and overall survival (<it>p </it>= .003). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that CIN status was significantly correlated with disease-free survival (<it>p </it>= .035) and overall survival (<it>p </it>= .041).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Analysis of CIN status using FISH on FNA biopsy specimens may be useful in predicting of recurrence and poor prognosis in patients with oral SCCs.</p

Potential Role of the Intratumoral Microbiota in Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer

The tumor microbiome, a relatively new research field, affects tumor progression through several mechanisms. The Cancer Microbiome Atlas (TCMA) database was recently published. In the present study, we used TCMA and The Cancer Genome Atlas and examined microbiome profiling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the role of the intratumoral microbiota in the prognosis of HNSCC patients, and differentially expressed genes in tumor cells in relation to specific bacterial infections. We investigated 18 microbes at the genus level that differed between solid normal tissue (n = 22) and primary tumors (n = 154). The tissue microbiome profiles of Actinomyces, Fusobacterium, and Rothia at the genus level differed between the solid normal tissue and primary tumors of HNSCC patients. When the prognosis of groups with rates over and under the median for each microbe at the genus level was examined, rates for Leptotrichia which were over the median correlated with significantly higher overall survival rates. We then extracted 35 differentially expressed genes between the over- and under-the-median-for-Leptotrichia groups based on the criteria of >1.5 fold and p < 0.05 in the Mann–Whitney U-test. A pathway analysis showed that these Leptotrichia-related genes were associated with the pathways of Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration-multiple diseases, prion disease, MAPK signaling, and PI3K-Akt signaling, while protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that these genes formed a dense network. In conclusion, probiotics and specific antimicrobial therapy targeting Leptotrichia may have an impact on the prognosis of HNSCC.Hamada M., Inaba H., Nishiyama K., et al. Potential Role of the Intratumoral Microbiota in Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24, 15456 (2023); https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242015456

Allele-Specific Expression Analysis of PEG1/MEST in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic feature that plays a significant role in carcinogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression status of an imprinted gene, paternally expressed gene 1/mesoderm-specific transcript PEG1/MEST, in 38 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and in 17 oral squamous cancer cell lines. Loss of imprinting (LOI) of PEG1/MEST was found in 8 of 10 (80%) in tumor specimens, and 6 of 10 (60%) informative cases even in the extracted normal tissue specimens. As for the oral squamous cancer cell lines, LOI was detected in 5 of 8 (62.5%) informative cases in PEG1/MEST. Thus, these data showed that abnormal expression of PEG1/MEST was found at a high frequency in the tumor, the extracted normal tissue specimens and the oral squamous cancer cell lines. PEG1/MEST LOI in extracted normal tissue specimens may have a potential individual cancer risk for HNSCC

Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Salivary Glands and Epithelial&ndash;Mesenchymal Transition

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a localized tumor that presents pleomorphic or mixed characteristics of epithelial origin and is interwoven with mucoid tissue, myxoid tissue, and chondroid masses. The literature reported that PA most often occurs in adults aged 30&ndash;60 years and is a female predilection; the exact etiology remains unclear. Epithelial&ndash;mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the transdifferentiation of stationary epithelial cells primarily activated by a core set of transcription factors (EMT-TFs) involved in DNA repair and offers advantages under various stress conditions. Data have suggested that EMTs represent the basic principle of tissue heterogeneity in PAs, demonstrating the potential of adult epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells. It has also been reported that multiple TFs, such as TWIST and SLUG, are involved in EMT in PA and that SLUG could play an essential role in the transition from myoepithelial to mesenchymal cells. Given this background, this review aims to summarize and clarify the involvement of EMT in the development of PA, chondrocyte differentiation, and malignant transformation to contribute to the fundamental elucidation of the mechanisms underlying EMT

Surgical simulation for dentigerous cyst in the maxillary sinus using full-color 3D salt modeling: Report of a case

Dentigerous cysts are one type of odontogenic cyst frequently associated with impacted teeth. If a cyst is formed in the maxillary sinus by the opposing buried tooth, surgery accompanied by sinus fenestration is required. We describe a case of surgical simulation for a dentigerous cyst in the maxillary sinus using full-color 3D salt modeling. A 23-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for further examination of an impacted tooth in the left maxillary sinus. Panoramic radiography and computed tomography (CT) examinations revealed an impacted third molar tooth and a cystic lesion in the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus. A full 3D salt model was constructed based on the CT data, and surgical simulation was performed. Thereafter, the patient received cystectomy through the anterior approach and extraction of the impacted tooth in the same manner as the surgical simulation. The 3D salt model may be useful for reducing trauma in surgery for intra-maxillary sinus odontogenic cysts, and restoration of the mucosa and bony wall

Severe dislocation of mandibular second premolar associated with deep ankylosis of primary molar

Background: Severe ankylosis is rare and any affected teeth are unlikely to exfoliate spontaneously. If left untreated, subsequent complications can develop. Case presentation: We treated a boy aged 10 years with a tooth affected by ankylosis for a long period, which caused dislocation of the mandibular second premolar. Because adjacent teeth were inclined, there was insufficient space for extraction and space regaining therapy was required. Conclusion: It is important to properly determine the severity of the ankylosed tooth when it is detected and provide treatment with appropriate timing.Kayoko Nagayama, Yuko Ogaya, Masakazu Hamada, Rena Okawa, Narikazu Uzawa, Kazuhiko Nakano, Severe dislocation of mandibular second premolar associated with deep ankylosis of primary molar, Pediatric Dental Journal, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdj.2022.03.003

Distribution of Helicobacter pylori and Periodontopathic Bacterial Species in the Oral Cavity

The oral cavity may serve as a reservoir of Helicobacter pylori. However, the factors required for H. pylori colonization are unknown. Here, we analyzed the relationship between the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity and that of major periodontopathic bacterial species. Nested PCR was performed to detect H. pylori and these bacterial species in specimens of saliva, dental plaque, and dental pulp of 39 subjects. H. pylori was detected in seven dental plaque samples (17.9%), two saliva specimens (5.1%), and one dental pulp (2.6%) specimen. The periodontal pockets around the teeth, from which dental plaque specimens were collected, were significantly deeper in H. pylori-positive than H. pylori-negative subjects (p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontopathic pathogen, was detected at a significantly higher frequency in H. pylori-positive than in H. pylori-negative dental plaque specimens (p &lt; 0.05). The distribution of genes encoding fimbriae (fimA), involved in the periodontal pathogenicity of P. gingivalis, differed between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative subjects. We conclude that H. pylori can be present in the oral cavity along with specific periodontopathic bacterial species, although its interaction with these bacteria is not clear

Ankylosed Primary Molar in a Japanese Child with Hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare genetic disorder; affected patients may experience early exfoliation of primary teeth, especially anterior teeth. However, there have been few reports regarding longitudinal follow-up for primary teeth, especially posterior teeth, until their replacement with permanent teeth. Here, we describe a patient with HPP who underwent follow-up from 1 to 9 years of age. A 14-month-old boy was referred to our hospital with the chief complaint of early loss of primary anterior teeth. He was diagnosed with odonto-type HPP by his pediatrician, due to low serum alkaline phosphatase concentration and early exfoliation of primary teeth with bone hypomineralization. The patient experienced exfoliation of three additional primary anterior teeth by 4 years and 1 month of age. Partial dentures were applied for space maintenance; there were no problems regarding subsequent replacement with permanent teeth in the anterior region. However, the primary mandibular right first molar appeared to be submerged when the patient was 8 years and 3 months of age; the severity of submergence was greater when the patient was 9 years of age. The affected primary molar was considered to be ankylosed; it was extracted when the patient was 9 years and 4 months of age. Histopathological analysis of the tooth revealed disturbed cementum formation, which is a typical characteristic of teeth in patients with HPP. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesize that the disturbed cementum formation could lead to susceptibility to early exfoliation of anterior teeth, as well as occurrence of ankylosis involving posterior teeth

Detection of Helicobacter pylori from Extracted Teeth of a Patient with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by isolated cryptogenic thrombocytopenia due to a transient or persistent reduction in platelet count. Many patients with ITP have shown improved platelet count after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. However, there have been no studies regarding H. pylori in the oral cavity of patients with ITP. Here, we describe a patient with ITP whose oral samples exhibited H. pylori. A 64-year-old woman with ITP came to our hospital with chief complaints that required oral surgery, including tooth extraction and cystectomy. Bacterial DNA from H. pylori was confirmed on the extracted tooth, but was not detected in the saliva taken at the time. Bacterial DNA from H. pylori was detected on the suture around the extraction socket, which was removed at 10 days post-operation. However, H. pylori DNA was not detected in other oral samples at 10 or 30 days post-operation. A urea breath test was carried out in the gastrointestinal clinic at 60 days post-operation, which revealed no presence of H. pylori in the gastrointestinal tract. These results suggest that teeth with severe bacterial infections may be a potential reservoir of H. pylori for patients with ITP