Oral giant cell tumor or giant cell granuloma: How to know?

Introduction: The distinction between giant cell tumors and giant cell granulomas is challenging, as both entities have overlapping diagnostic criteria, especially in oral locations. The two entities have similar clinical and radiological presentations, but they differ in their prognoses. Objective: The main objective of this study was to list the clinical, radiological, histological, and prognostic features of maxillomandibular giant cell tumors and giant cell granulomas cases n order to assess their value as a diagnostic referral factor that may allow the distinction between maxillo-mandibular giant cell granuloma and giant cell tumor. Study design: Data of maxillomandibular giant cell granulomas and giant cell tumors were assessed through a scoping review and a pre-existing systematic review of literature. We have also realized a bicentric retrospective study. Results: Various criteria facilitate the differential diagnosis like age, size, locularity and presence of necrosis zone but not the gender. The most discriminating factors was symptomatology (reported in 72% of GCTs while only 15% of GCGs) and the distribution pattern of giant cells in the stroma (homogeneously dispersed in 80% of GCTs versus grouped in clusters in 86.7% of GCGs). Recurrences were most described for giant cell tumors than giant cell granulomas. Malignant transformation and pulmonary metastasis were exclusively reported for giant cell tumors. Conclusion: As clinical and radiological elements are not sufficient to distinguish between these two entities, immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics can be represent diagnostic biomarkers to distinguish giant cell granulomas and giant cell tumors in oral cavity. We have attempted to define the main criteria for the differentiation of giant cell tumor and giant cell granuloma and propose a decision tree for the management of single maxillomandibular giant cell lesions.

Preclinical evaluation of mRNA trimannosylated lipopolyplexes as therapeutic cancer vaccines targeting dendritic cells.

Clinical trials with direct administration of synthetic mRNAs encoding tumor antigens demonstrated safety and induction of tumor-specific immune responses. Their proper delivery to dendritic cells (DCs) requires their protection against RNase degradation and more specificity for dose reduction. Lipid-Polymer-RNA lipopolyplexes (LPR) are attractive mRNA delivery systems and their equipment with mannose containing glycolipid, specific of endocytic receptors present on the membrane of DCs is a valuable strategy. In this present work, we evaluated the capacity of LPR functionalized with a tri-antenna of α-d-mannopyranoside (triMN-LPR) concerning (i) their binding to CD209/DC-SIGN and CD207/Langerin expressing cell lines, human and mouse DCs and other hematopoietic cell populations, (ii) the nature of induced immune response after in vivo immunization and (iii) their therapeutic anti-cancer vaccine efficiency. We demonstrated that triMN-LPR provided high induction of a local inflammatory response two days after intradermal injection to C57BL/6 mice, followed by the recruitment and activation of DCs in the corresponding draining lymph nodes. This was associated with skin production of CCR7 and CXCR4 at vaccination sites driving DC migration. High number of E7-specific T cells was detected after E7-encoded mRNA triMN-LPR vaccination. When evaluated in three therapeutic pre-clinical murine tumor models such as E7-expressing TC1 cells, OVA-expressing EG7 cells and MART-1-expressing B16F0 cells, triMN-LPR carrying mRNA encoding the respective antigens significantly exert curative responses in mice vaccinated seven days after initial tumor inoculation. These results provide evidence that triMN-LPR give rise to an efficient stimulatory immune response allowing for therapeutic anti-cancer vaccination in mice. This mRNA formulation should be considered for anti-cancer vaccination in Humans.

A hair on the tongue.

INTRODUCTION: Human hairs are generally localized on the cutaneous part of the head, neck, torso, armpits, pubis and limbs. Sometimes it can be found in an unusual localization and is then called heterotopic. OBSERVATION: A 30-year-old man presented with a hair in the middle of the dorsum of the tongue. It was decided to perform an excision under local anesthesia. DISCUSSION: Few reports exist that describe hair growing on mucosa. Only one other case has been published concerning the tongue.

Characterization of oral immune cells in birch pollen-allergic patients: impact of the oral allergy syndrome and sublingual allergen immunotherapy on antigen-presenting cells.

BACKGROUND: A detailed characterization of human oral immune cells is needed to better understand local mechanisms associated with allergen capture following oral exposure. METHODS: Oral immune cells were characterized by immunohistology and immunofluorescence in biopsies obtained from three healthy individuals and 23 birch pollen-allergic patients with/without oral allergy syndrome (OAS), at baseline and after 5 months of sublingual allergen immunotherapy (AIT). RESULTS: Similar cell subsets (i.e., dendritic cells, mast cells, and T lymphocytes) were detected in oral tissues from healthy and birch pollen-allergic individuals. CD207+ Langerhans cells (LCs) and CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) were found in both the epithelium and the papillary layer of the Lamina propria (LP), whereas CD68+ macrophages, CD117+ mast cells, and CD4+ /CD8+ T cells were rather located in both the papillary and reticular layers of the LP. Patterns of oral immune cells were identical in patients with/without OAS, except lower numbers of CD207+ LCs found in oral tissues from patients with OAS, when compared to OAS- patients (P < 0.05). A 5-month sublingual AIT had a limited impact on oral immune cells, with only a significant increase in IgE+ cells in patients from the active group. Colocalization experiments confirmed that such IgE-expressing cells mostly encompass CD68+ macrophages located in the LP, and to a lesser extent CD207+ LCs in the epithelium. CONCLUSION: Two cell subsets contribute to antigen/allergen uptake in human oral tissues, including (i) CD207+ LCs possibly involved in the physiopathology of OAS and (ii) CD68+ macrophages likely critical in allergen capture via IgE-facilitated mechanisms during sublingual AIT.

[Papillomavirus and head and neck cancer]. / Papillomavirus et cancers des VADS.

Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for head and neck cancers. Papillomavirus (HPV) infection was recently associated with the development of malignant tumors of the oropharynx, according to molecular and biological arguments. We describe the oncogenic mechanisms of HPV infections, the epidemiological and clinical aspects of associated head and neck cancers, their prognosis, and issues of specific therapeutic strategies.

[Jaw osteonecrosis induced by oral biphosphonates: 12 cases]. / Ostéonécroses des mâchoires induites par les biphosphonates oraux: 12 cas.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of jaw osteonecrosis induced by oral or intravenous biphosphonates (BP) has been increasing. Two hundred cases of jaw osteonecrosis induced by oral BP (JONOBP) were reported, with an incidence of 4 % and a prevalence of 1/952. We report 12 cases of JONOBP observed from January 2007 to January 2009. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A pluridisciplinary committee including odontologists, stomatologists, and maxillofacial surgeons from two Paris hospitals was asked to manage patients treated by BP. Twelve patients presenting with JONOBP were included from January 2007 to January 2009. For each of these patients, age, sex, associated co-morbidities, any triggering factor, previous or current combination treatments, the type of BP used, its initial indication, dosage, delay before onset of JONOBP, and delay between first clinical signs and diagnosis were studied. JONOBP localization, stage (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons [AAOMS] classification), clinical and radiological signs, anatomopathological and bacteriological examinations (when performed) were documented. The treatment and evolution were described. RESULTS: Ten women and two men, mean age 65 years (36 to 82 years), were included. BP were taken orally once a week or daily. The mean duration of BP exposure was 39.6±2,4 months (19 to 58 months). The indication for BP was prevention or treatment of osteoporosis in 11 cases and breast with bone metastases in one case. Tooth extraction was the triggering factor in nine cases. The premolar and molar mandibular area was the most often affected. Corticosteroid therapy was combined to BP in half of the cases. There were no clinical, radiological, and histological specific signs. BP treatment was stopped in all patients. Nine patients underwent surgery. Evolution was favorable for nine patients. Six patients were cured, on average 3.8 months after beginning management (one to nine months). Three male patients improved. Three female patients were lost to follow-up. Alendronate was the most frequently implicated (six cases) and risedronate (five cases). Five patients presented with diagnosed or suspected auto-immune conditions. DISCUSSION: The duration of exposure to BP was superior to three years in most cases. The triggering factor was tooth extraction. The mean diagnostic delay was five months. There were more stage 2 and 3 patients, according to the AAOMS classification. They were the most frequent, probably because of the higher number of co-morbidities, especially corticosteroid intake. Patient management complied to Afssaps and AAOMS recommendations. The evolution was favorable for all managed patients.