ABSTRACT
Introduction: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) poses a significant challenge considering the absence of a "gold standard" treatment. Cell-based therapy and tissue engineering offer promising therapeutic alternatives. This study aimed to harness the regenerative properties of adipose-tissue stromal vascular fraction (AT-SVF) and leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) for MRONJ treatment. AT-SVF contains mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), which promote bone formation, while the L-PRF scaffold can serve as a three-dimensional scaffold for the AT-SVF and support tissue healing through growth factor release. Materials and methods: The protocol involved applying autologous AT-SVF within an L-PRF matrix following surgical debridement. Age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, underlying oncological condition, prescribed antiresorptive treatment: BP or DMB, antiresorptive treatment duration, antiresorptive treatment potential discontinuation, number of MRONJ lesion, MRONJ location, MRONJ stage, MRONJ trigger factor were assessed for each patient. Patients underwent the procedure and were monitored for a minimum of 6 months based on clinical, biological and medical imaging criteria. Results: Nine patients, with a total of ten MRONJ lesions, participated in the study. Six patients were female, and three were male, with a mean age of 68 ± 8 years. Four patients had multiple myeloma (MM), three had metastatic breast cancer, and two had metastatic prostate cancer. Seven MRONJ cases were classified as stage II, and three were classified as stage III. Soft tissue completely healed within a month after treatment in nine cases, with no clinical improvement observed in the remaining case. During follow-up, no sign of MRONJ recurrence was observed. Tridimensional medical imaging revealed bone healing 6 months after the surgical procedure. Immunophenotyping confirmed the presence of MSC and EPC in the AT-SVF: 12,6 ± 4,5% CD31+, 20.5 ± 7,8% CD34+, 34,4 ± 7,3% CD146+ and 54,6 ± 7,4% CD45+. Conclusion: This prospective study introduces a potential new treatment approach for MRONJ using autologous AT-SVF within an L-PRF scaffold. Our results are encouraging and suggest the need for further investigation with a larger patient cohort to better understand the underlying mechanisms.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a complex affection. Nowadays, conventional treatments are associated with many side effects, reducing the patient's quality of life. Recent studies suggest that metformin, a first-line treatment for diabetes, could decrease cancer incidence and improve cancer-related survival rates. METHODS: This systematic review summarizes important data from studies evaluating metformin's contribution to preventing and treating HNC. RESULTS: The results suggest a protective effect of metformin in HNC. However, no consensus has been found on its therapeutic effects. Metformin seems to confer an improved cancer-related survival rate in a diabetic population, but compared to a non-diabetic population, the review could not identify any advantages. Nevertheless, no studies presented a negative impact. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of this systematic review suggest that HNC patients may benefit from metformin. Indeed, it would reduce the HNC incidence. However, more studies are required to evaluate the effect on cancer-related survival rates.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine the association of maintaining the curve of Spee (COS) before surgery with post-treatment facial height in patients with Class II short face syndrome undergoing combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, the clinical and radiologic data of all patients with Class II short face syndrome who underwent combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment were reviewed. The primary outcome variables were 1) preoperative COS and 2) post-treatment facial height. Depth of the COS and skeletal and soft tissue relations were measured on digital lateral cephalometric radiographs. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 20 patients. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase of soft tissue facial height after treatment (P < .02). Preoperative depth of the COS was significantly associated with changes in sagittal skeletal relations (angle formed by the sella, nasion, and B point [SNB], correlation [cor] = -0.54, P < .02; angle formed by the A point, nasion, and B point [ANB], cor = 0.43, P < .06). These changes and changes in overjet were associated with the post-treatment increase of lower facial height (SNB, cor = 0.70, P < .001; ANB, cor = -0.69, P < .001; overjet, cor = -0.55, P < .049). The ratios of upper to lower soft tissue facial height and upper to lower lip height were improved to near normal values (1.0 and 0.5, respectively) for most patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with Class II short face orthognathism, the present study found that maintaining the COS before surgery was associated with 1) an increase of soft tissue facial height and 2) an improvement of the ratio of upper to lower facial height and the ratio of upper to lower lip height to near normal values. Moreover, the depth of the COS was correlated with the post-treatment increase of facial height through changes in skeletal relations and was related to the degree of severity of the mandibular deficiency.
