Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1 Expression in Oral Malignant and Premalignant Lesions.

BACKGROUND: The voltage-dependent anion channel 1 protein (VDAC1) plays a role in cellular metabolism and survival. It was found to be down or upregulated (overexpressed) in different malignancies but it was never studied in application to oral lesions. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the expression of VDAC1 in biopsies of oral premalignant, malignant, and malignancy-neutral lesions and to examine the possible correlations to their clinicopathological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 103 biopsies including 49 oral squamous cell carcinoma, 33 epithelial dysplasia, and 21 fibrous hyperplasia samples were immunohistochemically stained with anti-VDAC1 antibodies for semi-quantitative evaluation. The antibody detection was performed with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB). The clinicopathological information was examined for possible correlations with VDAC1. RESULTS: VDAC1 expression was lower in oral squamous cell carcinoma 0.63 ± 0.40 and in oral epithelial dysplasia 0.61 ± 0.36 biopsies compared to fibrous hyperplasia biopsies 1.45 ± 0.28 (p < 0.01 for both; Kruskal-Wallis test). CONCLUSION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma and epithelial dysplasia tissues demonstrated decreased VDAC1 protein expression if compared to fibrous hyperplasia samples, but were not different from each other, suggesting that the involvement of VDAC1 in oral carcinogenesis is an early stage event, regulating cells to live or die.

Oral adverse reactions associated with etoricoxib, a common pain medication.

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW: There have been reports of cutaneous adverse reactions to etoricoxib, a frequently used anti-inflammatory and antipain medication. In this report, the authors describe the first series of patients with adverse reactions to etoricoxib restricted to the oral mucosa. CASE DESCRIPTION: The series comprised 7 men and 4 women, aged 25 through 81 years, 10 of whom had only oral lesions, 1 with mucocutaneous involvement. Lesions were erosive and aphthouslike or erythema multiformelike. In most of the cases, bilateral involvement of the palate was reported. Lips, tongue, and buccal mucosa were also involved. All lesions resolved after drug discontinuation. In 6 patients, repeated use resulted in recurrence of signs and symptoms similar to the first attack. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The dental and medical community should be aware of the oral adverse effects of etoricoxib, recognize them in time, recommend drug-use cessation, and warn patients against repeated use.