Lack of evidence for predictive and prognostic value of cyclin D1 gene polymorphism CCND1 G870A for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cyclin D1 gene (CCND1) has a G to A polymorphism at the splice donor site of exon 4, position 870. The A allele codes for a truncated variant, cyclin D1b, which may have higher transforming activity. Data regarding the predictive and prognostic value of the CCND1 G870A polymorphism in tumors are controversial. We aimed to examine this polymorphism in patients with oral carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genotyping of CCND1 G870A was determined by means of direct sequencing in 83 patients with oral carcinomas and in 102 healthy controls. Association with clinical outcomes was evaluated statistically. RESULTS: We failed to find any significant association of CCND1 G870A with risk of oral carcinomas in this German population, with clinical and pathological features of the tumours or with overall survival of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CCND1 G870A has no, or only very limited, predictive and prognostic value for oral carcinoma.

Mandibular cortical shape index in non-standardised panoramic radiographs for identifying patients with osteoporosis as defined by the German Osteology Organization.

The aim of this prospective controlled study was to determine the validity of the mandibular cortical shape index (CI) on panoramic radiographs in distinguishing patients with osteoporosis as defined by the German Osteology Organization (Dachverbands der Deutschsprachigen Osteologischen Fachgesellschaften, DVO). The study group contained 50 patients (33 female, 17 male, mean age: 74.9 years), who had a high risk of osteoporosis. 50 young patients (33 female, 17 male, mean age: 37.9 years) with no anamnestic evidence of osteoporosis served as control. Three blinded observers evaluated panoramic views of the study and the control group in a mixed manner regarding the mandibular cortical shape index. The study group underwent bone mineral density measurement using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and received a diagnosis according to the Organization's guidelines (normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis). The CI showed a high sensitivity of 72.2% and a high specificity of 93.9% with a highly significant predictive value (Chi-square = 22.96, p < 0.001), while the observer's agreement was moderate (kappa = 0.47). We concluded that patients with a cortical shape index of the category assessed as "severe" on non-standardised panoramic radiographs have a higher risk of suffering systemic osteoporosis. The CI in panoramic radiographs is a good screening tool, which could be implemented in the routine assessment of panoramic radiographs in elder patients.

Short tandem repeat polymorphism in exon 4 of esophageal cancer related gene 2 predicts relapse of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms in exon 4 of esophageal cancer related gene 2 (ECRG2) are a prognostic marker for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus. The aim of the present study was to correlate these STRs with clinical outcome of the similar tumor type oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). DNA of 81 patients that underwent complete surgical resection of OSCC was analyzed for STRs TCA3/TCA3, TCA3/TCA4 and TCA4/TCA4 in exon 4 of ECRG2 by PCR, capillary electrophoresis and DNA sequencing. ECRG2 STR TCA3/TCA3 were found in 45 (56%), TCA3/TCA4 in 33 (41%) and TCA4/TCA4 in 3 (3%) patients. TCA3/TCA3 was significantly associated with reduced relapse-free survival of OSCC, compared with TCA3/TCA4 and TCA4/TCA4 genotypes (P<0.05; log-rank test). TCA3/TCA3 STR was independent prognostic factor determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis (p<0.05). STR polymorphism TCA3/TCA3 in exon 4 of ECRG2 is associated with poor relapse-free survival in surgically completely resected OSCC patients and might be a potential prognostic marker.