Oral mucosal lesions triage via YOLOv7 models.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The global incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer continues to rise, necessitating improved early detection methods. This study leverages the capabilities of computer vision and deep learning to enhance the early detection and classification of oral mucosal lesions. METHODS: A dataset initially consisting of 6903 white-light macroscopic images collected from 2006 to 2013 was expanded to over 50,000 images to train the YOLOv7 deep learning model. Lesions were categorized into three referral grades: benign (green), potentially malignant (yellow), and malignant (red), facilitating efficient triage. RESULTS: The YOLOv7 models, particularly the YOLOv7-E6, demonstrated high precision and recall across all lesion categories. The YOLOv7-D6 model excelled at identifying malignant lesions with notable precision, recall, and F1 scores. Enhancements, including the integration of coordinate attention in the YOLOv7-D6-CA model, significantly improved the accuracy of lesion classification. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the robust comparison of various YOLOv7 model configurations in the classification to triage oral lesions. The overall results highlight the potential of deep learning models to contribute to the early detection of oral cancers, offering valuable tools for both clinical settings and remote screening applications.

Factors affecting the accuracy of anti-BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry results in ameloblastomas.

BACKGROUND: There are still some controversies about the results of anti-BRAF V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry in ameloblastomas. This study aimed to examine the accuracy of V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry in detection of BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastoma tissue sections of different ages. METHODS: The BRAF V600E status of 64 ameloblastoma specimens was assessed using both Sanger sequencing and V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated. The difference in V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry staining intensity among the three groups of ameloblastoma tissue blocks of different ages was evaluated by chi-square test. The consistency between V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry and DNA sequencing results and the V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry staining intensity of 15 paired newly-cut and 3-month storage sections of the same 15 ameloblastomas were also compared. RESULTS: For detection of BRAF V600E mutation, the V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry had high sensitivity (98.21% 55/56), specificity (87.5% 7/8), positive predictive value (98.21% 55/56), and negative predictive value (87.5% 7/8). Heterogeneity of the staining intensity was observed in the same tissue section, but all or none expression pattern was noticed in the solid tumor nests. The storage time of paraffin tissue blocks ranging from 2 to 14 years did not affect the V600E-specific antibody-positive staining intensity. However, the three-month storage sections showed a significant diminishment of V600E-specific antibody-positive staining signals. CONCLUSIONS: The BRAF V600E-specific antibody immunohistochemistry is suitable for routine detection of BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastomas. The all or none expression pattern suggests the BRAF V600E mutation may be an early event in the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma.

Prognosis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in metastatic prostate cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out the prognosis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) in prostate cancer patients who received two different types of antiresorptive agents for bone metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed a cohort of 95 metastatic prostate cancer patients with 122 MRONJ lesions treated in a single medical center. Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors were investigated. The cumulative complete response rate was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and significance was examined with the log-rank and Breslow tests. Cox regression was used for the univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors. RESULTS: The cumulative complete response rate of all patients at 12 months was 37.8%, and that of patients treated with zoledronic acid and denosumab was 22.9% and 70.5%, respectively. Denosumab, pretreatment C-terminal telopeptide of collagen I (CTX) level > 150 pg/ml, and anemia were identified as independent prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis with adjusted hazard ratios of 3.18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-8.11), 3.24 (95% CI, 1.39-7.53), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.19-0.93), respectively. CONCLUSION: A higher pretreatment level of CTX, using denosumab as the antiresorptive agent and without anemia, indicates a better treatment outcome of MRONJ in prostate cancer patients.

Effects of Interleukin-6 on STAT3-regulated signaling in oral cancer and as a prognosticator of patient survival.

OBJECTIVES: Human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) produces an inflammatory microenvironment enriched with cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6); however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of OSCC progression are unclear. We aimed to delineate the STAT3-mediated signaling pathways involved in tumor cell survival and growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to semi-quantitate IL-6 and STAT3 in 111 OSCC tissues. IL-6-induced STAT3 signaling pathways and effects on tumor cell survival and progression were investigated in vitro and in xenograft mouse models. Effects of blocking IL-6-induced activation of STAT3 in an OSCC cell line were determined in vitro. RESULTS: A higher level of IL-6 or STAT3 in situ was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in OSCC patients with regard to both disease-free and overall survival rates. Overexpressed or exogenous IL-6 could induce SAS cell proliferationin vitroand significantly enhanced tumor growthin vivo. In addition, knockdown or inhibition of STAT3 expression in SAS cells significantly reduced tumor growth and abolished the responsiveness to IL-6 stimulation. Siltuximab or Tocilizumab could also significantly suppress IL-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and STAT3 nuclear translocation, resulting in a significant decrease of downstream anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and survivin. CONCLUSION: The IL-6 level in the tumor microenvironment could serve as a stage-independent predictor of OSCC progression and survival. Further, IL-6 may play a role in this disease through STAT3-dependent upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes and subsequent proliferation of tumor cells.

Prognosis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in cancer patients using antiresorptive agent zoledronic acid.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Anti-resorptive agents are commonly used in cancer patients with bone metastasis or multiple myeloma (MM). An adverse event termed medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) was discovered in patients using these agents but relatively little attention has been paid to its prognosis. Our aims were to find out the treatment outcomes and prognostic indicators of MRONJ in cancer patients who received zoledronic acid as antiresorptive therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed a cohort of 133 cancer patients who received zoledronic acid. A total of 150 MRONJ lesions were included for investigation. Cumulative complete response rate after treatment was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and significance was examined with the log-rank tests. Cox regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors. RESULTS: The cumulative complete response rate of all patients at 24 months was 53.2%, and those of patients with MM, breast cancer and prostate cancer were 27.8%, 60.7% and 68.0%, respectively. Having MM was identified as an independent prognostic factor in a multivariate analysis with adjusted hazard ratios of 0.28 (95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.83). CONCLUSION: For cancer patients with ONJ related to zoledronic acid, patients with MM endure a worse treatment outcome.

Stimulation of MMP-9 of oral epithelial cells by areca nut extract is related to TGF-ß/Smad2-dependent and -independent pathways and prevented by betel leaf extract, hydroxychavicol and melatonin.

BACKGROUND: There are 200-600 million betel quid (BQ) chewers in the world. BQ increases oral cancer risk. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is responsible for matrix degradation, cancer invasion and metastasis. Whether areca nut extract (ANE), a BQ component, stimulates MMP-9 secretion, and the related signaling pathways awaits investigation. RESULTS: ANE (but not arecoline) stimulated MMP-9 production of gingival keratinocytes and SAS cancer epithelial cells. ANE stimulated TGF-ß1, p-Smad2, and p-TAK1 protein expression. ANE-induced MMP-9 production/expression in SAS cells can be attenuated by SB431542 (ALK5/Smad2 inhibitor), 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol (TAK1 inhibitor), catalase, PD153035 (EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor), AG490 (JAK inhibitor), U0126 (MEK/ERK inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K/Akt inhibitor), betel leaf (PBL) extract, and hydroxychavicol (HC, a PBL component), and melatonin, but not by aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: AN components contribute to oral carcinogenesis by stimulating MMP-9 secretion, thus enhancing tumor invasion/metastasis. These events are related to reactive oxygen species, TGF-ß1, Smad2-dependent and -independent signaling, but not COX. These signaling molecules can be biomarkers of BQ carcinogenesis. PBL, HC and melatonin and other targeting therapy can be used for oral cancer treatment. METHODS: ANE-induced MMP-9 expression/secretion of oral epithelial cells and related TGF-ß1, Smad-dependent and -independent signaling were studied by MTT assay, RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescent staining, and ELISA.

Effects of a swallowing and oral care intervention for patients following endotracheal extubation: a pre- and post-intervention study.

BACKGROUND: For patients who survive a critical illness and have their oral endotracheal tube removed, dysphagia is highly prevalent, and without intervention, it may persist far beyond hospital discharge. This pre- and post-intervention study with historical controls tested the effects of a swallowing and oral care (SOC) intervention on patients' time to resume oral intake and salivary flow following endotracheal extubation. METHODS: The sample comprised intensive care unit patients (≥ 50 years) successfully extubated after ≥ 48 h endotracheal intubation. Participants who received usual care (controls, n = 117) were recruited before 2015, and those who received usual care plus the intervention (n = 54) were enrolled after 2015. After extubation, all participants were assessed by a blinded nurse for daily intake status (21 days) and whole-mouth unstimulated salivary flow (2, 7, 14 days). The intervention group received the nurse-administered SOC intervention, comprising toothbrushing/salivary gland massage, oral motor exercise, and safe-swallowing education daily for 14 days or until hospital discharge. RESULTS: The intervention group received 8.3 ± 4.2 days of SOC intervention, taking 15.4 min daily with no reported adverse event (coughing, wet voice, or decreased oxygen saturation) during and immediately after intervention. Participants who received the intervention were significantly more likely than controls to resume total oral intake after extubation (aHR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08-2.91). Stratified by age group, older participants (≥ 65 years) in the SOC group were 2.47-fold more likely than their younger counterparts to resume total oral intake (aHR 2.47, 95% CI 1.31-4.67). The SOC group also had significantly higher salivary flows 14 days following extubation (ß = 0.67, 95% CI 0.29-1.06). CONCLUSIONS: The nurse-administered SOC is safe and effective, with greater odds of patients' resuming total oral intake and increased salivary flows 14 days following endotracheal extubation. Age matters with SOC; it more effectively helped participants ≥ 65 years old resume total oral intake postextubation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02334774, registered on January 08, 2015.

Reciprocal activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and oral squamous carcinoma cells through CXCL1.

OBJECTIVES: Crosstalk between cancer cells and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is known to be involved in various aspects of tumor biology, including during invasion. Using oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells as a model, we examined whether and how CAFs respond to inflammatory signals to influence cancer cell migration and invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemokine signatures within the human HNSCC datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed together with tissue assessment using immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and real-time PCR. A co-culture system was used to identify reciprocal effects exerted by CAFs and cancer cells upon one another. Recombinant CXCL1, CXCL1 neutralizing antibodies, and CXCR2 antagonist were used to confirm CXCL1/CXCR2 axis-mediated cell behaviors. RESULTS: Analysis of the TCGA dataset revealed that CXCL1 is associated with poor survival, and IHC demonstrated CXCL1 is highly expressed in OSCC stromal cells. Moreover, real-time PCR showed that in addition to CXCL1, IL-1ß and CXCR2 are also highly expressed in OSCC and IL-1ß mRNA levels positively correlate with CXCL1 expression. Furthermore, CAFs co-cultured with SAS, a poorly differentiated OSCC cell line, or stimulated with IL-1ß exhibit increased CXCL1 secretion in an NF-κB-dependent manner. Treatment of SAS cells with CAF-conditioned medium or CXCL1 increased their invasion and migration capabilities, indicating a reciprocal activation between CAFs and cancer cells. Moreover, CXCL-1 upregulated matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) expression and activity in CAFs. CONCLUSION: The induction of IL-1ß following CXCL1 stimulation of CAFs mediates cancer cell invasion, and there is a reciprocal dependency between CAFs and cancer cells in the OSCC microenvironment.

The influence of alendronate and tooth extraction on the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw among osteoporotic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Although bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) develops mainly after tooth extractions (TEs), the strength of the association between them and how the existence of the disease among bisphosphonate (BP)-treated osteoporotic patients exposed to TE remain uncertain. METHODS: A nationwide retrospective cohort study investigated the influence of alendronate and TE on the development of ONJ. RESULTS: Incidence of ONJ following long-term alendronate therapy was 262/100,000 person-years, while no event developed in the control group on raloxifene. Overall prevalence of ONJ in osteoporotic subjects receiving alendronate was estimated at 0.34% which rose to 2.16% after TE. Multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusted for the potential confounders, showed TE (adjusted odds ratio, 9.60 [4.33-21.29]), drug duration exceeding 3 years (3.00 [1.33-6.76]), and concomitant rheumatoid arthritis (4.94 [1.64-14.90]) were independent predictors of ONJ. CONCLUSIONS: This article strengthens the relationship between ONJ and BPs. Among osteoporotic patients exposed to alendronate, TE confers a 9.6-fold increased risk for ONJ and it should be performed with caution irrespective of drug duration.

Hypermethylated ZNF582 and PAX1 genes in mouth rinse samples as biomarkers for oral dysplasia and oral cancer detection.

BACKGROUND: Effective biomarkers for oral cancer screening are important for early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. METHODS: Oral epithelial cell samples collected by mouth rinse were obtained from 65 normal control subjects, 108 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders, and 94 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methylation levels of zinc-finger protein 582 (ZNF582) and paired-box 1 (PAX1) genes were quantified by real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction after bisulfite conversion. RESULTS: An abrupt increase in methylated ZNF582 (ZNF582m ) and PAX1 (PAX1m ) levels and positive rates from mild dysplasia to moderate/severe dysplasia, indicating that both ZNF582m and PAX1m are effective biomarkers for differentiating moderate dysplasia or worse (MODY+) oral lesions. When ZNF582m /PAX1m tests were used for identifying MODY+ oral lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio (OR) were 0.65/0.64, 0.75/0.82, and 5.6/8.0, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hypermethylated ZNF582 and PAX1 genes in oral epithelial cells collected by mouth rinse are effective biomarkers for the detection of oral dysplasia and oral cancer.

Bedside screen for oral cavity structure, salivary flow, and vocal production over the 14days following endotracheal extubation.

PURPOSE: To describe the sequelae of oral endotracheal intubation by evaluating prevalence rates of structural injury, hyposalivation, and impaired vocal production over 14days following extubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive adults (≥20years, N=114) with prolonged (≥48h) endotracheal intubation were enrolled from medical intensive care units at a university hospital. Participants were assessed by trained nurses at 2, 7, and 14days after extubation, using a standardized bedside screening protocol. RESULTS: Within 48-hour postextubation, structural injuries were common, with 51% having restricted mouth opening. Unstimulated salivary flow was reduced in 43%. For vocal production, 51% had inadequate breathing support for phonation, dysphonia was common (94% had hoarseness and 36% showed reduced efficiency of vocal fold closure), and >40% had impaired articulatory precision. By 14days postextubation, recovery was noted in most conditions, but reduced efficiency of vocal fold closure persisted. Restricted mouth opening (39%) and reduced salivary flow (34%) remained highly prevalent. CONCLUSIONS: After extubation, restricted mouth opening, reduced salivary flow, and dysphonia were common and prolonged in recovery. Reduced efficiency of vocal cord closure persisted at 14days postextubation. The extent and duration of these sequelae remind clinicians to screen for them up to 2weeks after extubation.

Comparison of long-term outcomes between pull-through resection and mandibular lip-split surgery for T4a tongue/floor of mouth cancers.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pull-through resection is better than the mandibular lip-split for advanced tongue/floor of mouth (FOM) cancers, which remains inconclusive. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 91 patients with T4a tongue/FOM cancers from 2009 to 2014. Cases with mandibular resection were excluded. The pull-through resection was used when the mouth opening was ≥15 mm; otherwise the mandibular lip-split was used. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients received pull-through resections and 33 underwent mandibular-lip splits and the mean follow-up periods were 42 and 45 months, respectively. Surgical margin, locoregional recurrence, and 5-year survival were similar between the 2 groups. The pull-through approach had a significantly shorter operation time, lower rates of flap infection, osteoradionecrosis, metal plate exposure, loss of tooth vitality, and better aesthetics. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the pull-through resection does not compromise disease control for advanced tongue/FOM cancers and is superior to the mandibular lip-split in terms of operation time, postoperative complications, and aesthetics.

TGF-ß1 stimulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression and PGE2 production of human dental pulp cells: Role of ALK5/Smad2 and MEK/ERK signal transduction pathways.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSES: TGF-ß1 is an important growth factor that may influence the odontoblast differentiation and matrix deposition in the reactionary/reparative dentinogenesis to dental caries or other tooth injuries. TGF-ß1 exerts its effects through various signaling pathways, such as Smads and MAPKs. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a membrane-associated enzyme that produces prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) at sites of pulpal injury and inflammation, which leads to tissue swelling, redness and pain. The purposes of this study were to investigate the differential signal transduction pathways of TGF-ß1 that mediate COX-2 stimulation and PGE2 production in dental pulp cells. METHODS: Pulp cells were exposed to TGF-ß1 with/without SB431542 (an ALK5/Smad2 inhibitor) and U0126 (a MEK/ERK inhibitor). MTT assay was used to estimate cell viability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for measurement of PGE2 levels. RT-PCR and western blot were used to determined COX-2 mRNA and protein, respectively. RESULTS: Exposure to TGF-ß1 (1-10 ng/ml) increased the COX-2 mRNA and protein level of cultured pulp cells. Exposure to TGF-ß1 (0.1-10 ng/mL) significantly stimulated PGE2 production of dental pulp cells. Under the pretreatment of SB431542, the stimulatory effect of TGF-ß1 on COX-2 level of pulp cells was inhibited. Similarly, U0126 also partly inhibited the TGF-ß1-induced COX-2 expression. CONCLUSION: TGF-ß1 increased the COX-2 and PGE2 level of cultured pulp cells. The effect of TGF-ß1 on COX-2 protein expression was associated with ALK5/Smad2/3 and MEK/ERK pathways. These events are important in the early inflammation, repair and regeneration of dental pulp in response to injury.

Enrichment of Human CCR6+ Regulatory T Cells with Superior Suppressive Activity in Oral Cancer.

Human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes an inflammatory microenvironment enriched with chemokines such as CCL20, which promote cancer cell invasion and tumor progression. We found that in OSCC there is a correlation between the expression of CCL20 and FOXP3 mRNA. Therefore, we hypothesized that OSCC may favor the recruitment and retention of regulatory T (Treg) cells that express the CCL20 receptor, CCR6. Interestingly, most (∼60%) peripheral blood Treg cells express CCR6, and CCR6+ Treg cells exhibit an activated effector/memory phenotype. In contrast, a significant portion (>30%) of CCR6- Treg cells were found to be CD45RA+ naive Treg cells. Compared to CCR6- naive or memory Treg cells, CCR6+ Treg cells exhibit stronger suppressive activity and display higher FOXP3 expression along with lower methylation at the Treg-specific demethylated region of the FOXP3 gene. This predominance of CCR6+ Treg cells was also found in the draining lymph nodes and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of OSCC patients with early or late clinical staging. Moreover, CCR6+ Treg cells isolated from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or draining lymph nodes maintained similar phenotypic and suppressive characteristics ex vivo as did their counterparts isolated from peripheral blood. These results suggest that CCR6 marks activated effector or memory Treg phenotypes with superior suppressive activity in humans.

Expression of AKR1B10 as an independent marker for poor prognosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is implicated in xenobiotic detoxification and has disparate functions in tumorigenesis that are dependent on the cell types. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of AKR1B10 as a prognostic marker for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). METHODS: AKR1B10 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 77 patients with OSCC. RESULTS: The AKR1B10 labeling score for OSCCs (1.16 ± 1.14) was significantly higher than that for normal oral mucosa (0.10 ± 0.23; p < .0001). High expression of AKR1B10 significantly correlated with large tumor size (p = .041), advanced TNM classification (p = .037), and patient's areca quid chewing habit (p = .025). Multivariate analysis revealed that high AKR1B10 labeling score >1.16 (hazard ratio, 3.647; p = .001) significantly correlated with mortality. CONCLUSION: AKR1B10 overexpression is an independent poor prognostic biomarker for OSCC. AKR1B10 inhibitors may be promising in clinical trials against OSCC. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1327-1332, 2017.

Lysophosphatidylcholine induces cytotoxicity/apoptosis and IL-8 production of human endothelial cells: Related mechanisms.

Increased levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein oxLDL) are shown to elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, stroke, and myocardial infarction. This is possibly due to the toxic effects of oxLDLs on vascular cells. Various oxLDLs including lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and 7-ketocholesterol injure vascular endothelial cells and stimulate inflammatory reaction. However the toxicity of LPC on endothelial cells is not clear. In this study, human endothelial cells were exposed to LPC. Cytotoxicity was measured by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Propidium iodide (PI) staining or PI/Annexin V dual staining flow cytometry were used to determine cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was analyzed by DCFH-DA labeling flow cytometry. RNA and protein expression of endothelial cells was studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. IL-8 secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. LPC showed cytotoxicity to endothelial cells (>50 µg/ml). LPC induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis with concomitant inhibition of cdc2 and cyclin B1 expression. LPC stimulated intracellular ROS production and ATM/Chk2, ATR/Chk1 and Akt activation. IL-8 expression and secretion in endothelial cells were induced by LPC. LPC-induced apoptosis, and IL-8 expression/secretion was attenuated by LY294002, a PI3K/Akt inhibitor. These results reveal that LPC is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vascular diseases by stimulation of inflammation and injury to endothelial cells. These events are related to ROS, ATM/Chk2, ATR/Chk2 and PI3K/Akt signaling. Understanding the toxic mechanisms of LPC is useful for future prevention and treatment atherosclerosis.

HMGCS2 enhances invasion and metastasis via direct interaction with PPARα to activate Src signaling in colorectal cancer and oral cancer.

Mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase (HMGCS2) is the rate-limiting enzyme of ketogenesis. Growing evidence indicates that HMGCS2 may be involved in cancer progression, but its exact role is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that HMGCS2 mRNA expression is associated with poor clinical prognosis and outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In vitro, ectopic expression of HMGCS2 enhanced cancer cell motility in a ketogenesis-independent manner. Moreover, HMGCS2 promoted Src activity by directly binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), a transcriptional activator of Src. Taken together, these results suggest that HMGCS2 may serve as a useful prognostic marker and vital target for future therapeutic strategies against advanced cancer.

Hypermethylated ZNF582 and PAX1 are effective biomarkers for detection of oral dysplasia and oral cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether the methylation of ZNF582, PAX1, SOX1, NKX6.1, and PTPRR genes in oral scrapings could be used to detect oral dysplasia and oral cancer and to predict oral cancer recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral scrapings were collected from 65 normal oral mucosa subjects, 107 oral precancer patients, and 95 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Methylation levels of the five genes were quantified by real-time methylation-specific PCR after bisulfite conversion. RESULTS: Among the five tested genes, methylated ZNF582 (ZNF582m) and PAX1 (PAX1m) were found to be appropriate biomarkers for oral dysplasia and oral cancers. ZNF582m could detect mild dysplasia or worse oral lesions with the sensitivity and specificity being 0.85 and 0.87, respectively. PAX1m performed better in identifying moderate dysplasia or worse oral lesions with the sensitivity and specificity being 0.72 and 0.86, respectively. Moreover, the methylation levels and positive rates for ZNF582m and PAX1m were increased when disease severity increased. Thus, they may be applicable as a triage tool for patients with abnormal visual oral examinations. After cancer excision, both ZNF582m and PAX1m levels decreased. However, their levels increased again at the subsequently recurrent sites in some patients approximately 3-4 months before cancer recurrence. Finally, areca-quid chewing alone and in combination with cigarette smoking or alcohol drinking were found to be correlated with ZNF582 and PAX1 hypermethylation. CONCLUSION: We conclude that hypermethylated ZNF582 and PAX1 are effective biomarkers for the detection of oral dysplasia and oral cancer and for the prediction of oral cancer recurrence.