Expression of CD4+ and CD8+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Their Relationship With Clinicopathological Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a dynamic ecosystem composed of components contributed by both the tumor and the host. The immune cells of TME, mainly CD4+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), suppress the proliferation of cancer cells and play a crucial role in the progression of OSCC. The present study aims to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of CD4+ and CD8+ TILs in OSCC and to compare and correlate them with clinicopathological parameters. Methodology A total of 75 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of cases diagnosed with primary OSCC were immunostained with CD4+ and CD8+ antibodies and their expression was compared with the clinicopathological parameters. Results There was a significant positive correlation between CD4+ and CD8+ expression (r = 0.655, p = 0.001). Both CD4+ (r = -2.37, p = 0.041) and CD8+ (r = -0.348, p = 0.002) expressions negatively correlated with the TNM stage (r = -2.37, p = 0.041) of OSCC. CD8+ expression positively correlated with histopathological grade (r = 0.288, p = 0.012). Conclusions The study findings suggest that CD4+ cells are essential to maintain and sustain CD8+ TIL-mediated anti-tumor response. CD4+ and CD8+ TILs are key players in cell-mediated adaptive immunity and prevent tumor progression and metastasis. Strikingly, the higher grade of tumors despite heavy CD8+ infiltration may possibly be due to cancer immunoediting.

Utilization of non-vascularized bone graft with regional flap as an alternative for facial reconstruction.

Mandibular resections decision is one of the most important steps in oral cavity malignant or nonmalignant lesions associated with the mandible. The role of mandibular reconstruction is not only for cosmesis, but it is also indicated for functional rehabilitation such as swallowing, phonetics, and for facial symmetrical. Even though the free tissue transfer is considered a gold standard for mandibular reconstruction, the importance of nonvascularized bone grafts (NVBGs) such as fibula, calvarium, rib, sternum, and iliac are still persisting in mandibulectomies condition like patient who have not taken radiotherapy or not willing to undergo radiotherapy or not fit for free tissue transfer and provides a good contour of mandibular replacement. The success rate of NVBG depends upon patient selection, preoperative planning, and meticulous nursing care. Addition to NVBG, regional flaps such as pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap will help in soft-tissue replacement of the defect as well as it will help in the situation where primary closure and airtight closure is not possible. This case report will discuss in detail about the management of anterior segmental mandibulectomy due to oncological resection and reconstruction with NVBG with fibula and PMMC.

Recurrent mucormycosis - Better understanding of treatment and management.

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic, aggressive, fatal fungal infection. The fungal organisms are ubiquitous and easily affect immunocompromised patients. It is spread on inhalation, inoculation and wound contamination and is more common in diabetic and other immunocompromised individuals in a population. The clinical and radiological features of Mucormycosis can overlap with other conditions for which a thorough diagnosis should be made. The rate of recurrence in Mucormycosis cases is high. This article reports one such case in which recurrence occurred twice and was controlled only with resection. The main aim of this article is to emphasize the importance of practicing aggressive resection and also on regular follow up of the patient after surgical management. Knowledge on different diagnostic and treatment methods, availability of newer drugs and regular follow up can greatly help in the management and recurrence of Mucormycosis even in immunocompromised patients in a population where diabetes is more common and mortality of rhino cerebral form is high.

Downregulation of Notch4 - a prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma / Regulação descendente de Notch4 - um marcador prognóstico na distinção entre carcinoma verrucoso oral e carcinoma de células escamosas oral

Abstract Introduction: Oral verrucous carcinoma is a special form of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma which possesses specific clinical, morphologic and cytokinetic features that differ from other types of oral cancers and hence diagnosis requires immense experience in histopathology. Hence it is certainly important to distinguish such a lesion from other oral tumors as treatment strategies vary widely between them. Objective: In search of a critical diagnostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma, Notch4 receptor, one of the key regulatory molecules of the Notch signaling family has been aberrantly activated in the progression of several types of tumors. However its function in oral verrucous carcinoma remains unexplored. Thus the present study aims in determining the differential expression pattern of Notch4 in oral verrucous carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Ten patients reported positive for oral cancer (5 patients with oral verrucous carcinoma and 5 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma). Five normal tissue samples were also obtained and evaluated for clinicopathological parameters and immunohistochemistry, western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction for Notch4 expression. Results: Our results reveal that the expression of Notch4 was considerably high in oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions compared to normal tissue, whereas in oral verrucous carcinoma, irrespective of the clinicopathological features, complete regulação descendente of Notch4 was observed. Conclusions: These preliminary findings strongly support the fact that Notch4 is downregulated in oral verrucous carcinoma and could be considered as a suitable prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma. This distinguishing marker can help in improving therapeutic options in patients diagnosed with oral verrucous carcinoma.

Resumo Introdução: O carcinoma verrucoso de cavidade oral é uma forma especial de carcinoma de células escamosas bem diferenciada que tem características clínicas, morfológicas e citocinéticas específicas que diferem de outros tipos de cânceres orais. Por essa razão, o diagnóstico requer grande experiência em histopatologia. Portanto, é certamente importante distingui-lo de outros tumores orais, pois as respectivas estratégias de tratamento variam muito. Objetivo: Em busca de um marcador de diagnóstico crítico na distinção entre o carcinoma verrucoso e o carcinoma de células escamosas de cavidade oral, o receptor Notch4, uma das principais moléculas reguladoras da família de sinalizadores Notch, foi ativado de maneira anormal na progressão de vários tipos de tumores. No entanto, sua função no carcinoma verrucoso permanece inexplorada. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo determinar o padrão de expressão diferencial de Notch4 no carcinoma verrucoso e de células escamosas de cavidade oral. Método: Dez pacientes tiveram resultado positivo para câncer oral (cinco pacientes com carcinoma verrucoso e cinco pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas) e cinco amostras normais foram também obtidas. Além da avaliação dos parâmetros clínico-patológicos, foram feitos análise imuno-histoquímica, Western Blot e reação de polimerase em cadeia em tempo real para a expressão de Notch4. Resultados: Nossos resultados revelam que a expressão de Notch4 foi consideravelmente alta em carcinomas de células escamosas em comparação com os tecidos normais, enquanto que no carcinoma verrucoso, independentemente das características clínico-patológicas, observou-se regulação descendente completa de Notch4. Conclusão: Esses achados preliminares apoiam fortemente o fato de que Notch4 estava regulado para baixo no carcinoma verrucoso oral e poderia ser considerado um marcador prognóstico adequado para distinguir entre carcinoma verrucoso e carcinoma de células escamosas de cavidade oral. Esse marcador distintivo pode ajudar a melhorar as opções terapêuticas em pacientes com diagnóstico de carcinoma verrucoso oral.

Downregulation of Notch4 - a prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Oral verrucous carcinoma is a special form of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma which possesses specific clinical, morphologic and cytokinetic features that differ from other types of oral cancers and hence diagnosis requires immense experience in histopathology. Hence it is certainly important to distinguish such a lesion from other oral tumors as treatment strategies vary widely between them. OBJECTIVE: In search of a critical diagnostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma, Notch4 receptor, one of the key regulatory molecules of the Notch signaling family has been aberrantly activated in the progression of several types of tumors. However its function in oral verrucous carcinoma remains unexplored. Thus the present study aims in determining the differential expression pattern of Notch4 in oral verrucous carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Ten patients reported positive for oral cancer (5 patients with oral verrucous carcinoma and 5 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma). Five normal tissue samples were also obtained and evaluated for clinicopathological parameters and immunohistochemistry, western blotting and real time polymerase chain reaction for Notch4 expression. RESULTS: Our results reveal that the expression of Notch4 was considerably high in oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions compared to normal tissue, whereas in oral verrucous carcinoma, irrespective of the clinicopathological features, complete regulação descendente of Notch4 was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings strongly support the fact that Notch4 is downregulated in oral verrucous carcinoma and could be considered as a suitable prognostic marker in distinguishing oral verrucous carcinoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma. This distinguishing marker can help in improving therapeutic options in patients diagnosed with oral verrucous carcinoma.

Association of Notch4 with metastasis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

AIMS: Despite the development of several therapeutic strategies in the past decades, clinicians have failed to improve the survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients due to the highly metastatic nature of the disease and its high recurrence rate. However, there is accumulating evidence that aberrant Notch4 expression has a critical role in tumorigenesis but its prognostic value and function in OSCC remains uncertain. This study therefore investigates (1) the expression of Notch4 and its downstream target, myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) in tissue samples representative of different stages of OSCC with varied clinicopathological features and (2) the possible involvement of Notch4 in the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells. MAIN METHODS: Sixty patients reported positive for OSCC were obtained along with the clinicopathological parameters and we performed immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT-PCR for Notch4 and MAG expression. Further, the metastatic role of Notch4 was analyzed in the HSC-3 cell line by cell proliferation and migration assays. KEY FINDINGS: Our findings reveal that Notch4 and MAG expression are significantly upregulated in specifically late stages of OSCC tumor sections and perineural invasion (PNI) positive cases. In addition, depletion of Notch4 by siRNA inhibited the proliferative and migratory ability of the highly metastatic HSC-3 OSCC cells. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study indicates that the aberrant activation of Notch4 promotes OSCC metastasis through perineural spread and ascertains its value as a significant prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target to treat this highly aggressive malignancy.

Prognostic and predictive factors in gingivo buccal complex squamous cell carcinoma: role of tumor budding and pattern of invasion.

Invasive tumor front (ITF) is the deepest three to six cell layers or detached tumor cell groups at the advancing edge of the tumor. Tumor budding is defined as presence of isolated single cells or small cell clusters scattered in the stroma ahead of the ITF and is characteristic of aggressive cancer. It is recognized as an adverse prognostic factor in several human cancers like colorectal, oesophageal, laryngeal cancers and more recently tongue cancers. However, the prognostic value of tumor budding has not been reported in GBCSCC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of pattern of invasion (POI) at the ITF, Tumor budding and other clinicopathological parameters in predicting nodal metastases and prognosis in GBCSCC. 33 patients with primary GBCSCC were prospectively evaluated at a tertiary care referral centre. Tumor budding and type of POI was examined in detail and data documented. Statistical analyses were carried out to assess the correlation of tumor budding, POI, and other clinicopathologic parameters (stage, grade of the tumor, tumor thickness, PNI, LVI) with nodal metastases and predict prognosis. Cox regression was used for both Univariate and multivariate analysis. Significant predictors of nodal metastases on Univariate analysis were male gender (p = 0.021), smoking (p = 0.046), Tumor budding (p = 0.014) and diffuse infiltrative/worst POI (p = 0.004), where as on multivariate analysis only worst POI was significantly associated with positive lymph nodes (p = 0.004). Presence of nodal metastases (p = 0.01) and tumor thickness >5 mm (p = 0.009) were independent negative prognostic factors on multivariate analysis. Significant single risk factor predictive of positive lymph nodes is worst POI in GBCSCC. Nodal metastases and >5 mm tumor thickness are independent risk factors for disease free survival.

The efficacy of different pre- and post-operative analgesics in the management of pain after orthodontic separator placement: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Pain-free treatment to the patients is considered as an important treatment objective for orthodontic health care providers. However, many orthodontists underestimate the degree of pain experienced by the patients. Hence, this study was conducted as a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial with the following objectives. OBJECTIVE: To study the pain characteristics after separator placement; to compare the efficacy of various commonly used analgesics in pain management and to determine the efficacy of pre- and post-operative analgesics in pain management. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 154 patients (77 males and 77 females, age group of 14-21 years, with mean age of 18.8 years) who reported to Department of Orthodontics. Patients were randomly divided in to four groups. Group 1: Paracetamol 650 mg, Group 2: Ibuprofen 400 mg, Group 3: Aspirin 300 mg, Group 4: Placebo and the study were conducted as a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. The patients were instructed to take two tablets, one tablet 1 h before separator placement, and the other one after 6 h. The pain evaluations were made by the patients, when teeth not touching (TNT), biting back teeth together, chewing food (CF) using a 100-mm visual analogue scale for 7 days after separator placement. Patients were advised to record the severity of pain. RESULTS: Group 3 (Aspirin 300 mg) showed lowest pain values, followed by Group 2 (ibuprofen 400 mg), and Group 1 (paracetamol 650 mg). All NSAID's achieved good pain control compared to Group 4 (placebo), where the intensity pain was maximum. CONCLUSION: Pre- and post-operative analgesics were found to be more effective in controlling orthodontic pain, after separator placement at all-time intervals.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap donor site.

The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is considered a workhorse flap in the reconstruction of head and neck defects after cancer ablative surgeries and remains one of the most widely used reconstructive options. Complications at the donor site after the use of this flap, although rare, do occur and are usually restricted to minor infections, hematoma, and seroma formation. Metastasis to the flap donor site is a rare complication with limited documentation. Metastasis at the donor site usually follows local recurrence at the primary site, supporting the probable hypothesis of re-establishment of lymphatic drainage to the primary site by the flap pedicle. Tumor implantation, although a probable cause for metastasis at the donor site, cannot be confidently distinguished from other mechanisms, such as hematogenous spread or lymphogenous metastasis. This report describes a case that supports a seeding or tumor implantation mechanism of metastasis exclusively.