Evaluation of hypoxia, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis in actinic cheilitis.

BACKGROUND: Actinic cheilitis is a potentially malignant condition caused mainly by chronic sun exposure. Here we aim to evaluate the role of hypoxia, angiogenesis, and lymphatic density in the clinical and morphological progression of a series of cases of actinic cheilitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate positivity to hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, and D2-40 in 40 cases of actinic cheilitis of the lower lip. RESULTS: The cases studied exhibited variable degrees of positivity to the markers. The median number of lymphatic vessels was 3.2, 2.4, and 3.0 in lesions showing no epithelial dysplasia (NED) and with mild (MED) and moderate (MOED) epithelial dysplasia, respectively. The median VEGF-C positivity index was 82.44% (NED), 92.74% (MED), and 82.83% (MOED), and the median HIF-1α positivity index was 11.57% (NED), 5.26% (MED), and 13.55% (MOED). No significant differences in lymphatic density or median VEGF-C and HIF-1α positivity indices were observed between histological grades or clinical presentations of actinic cheilitis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although representing early events in lip carcinogenesis, the present results suggest that hypoxia, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis do not influence the morphological or clinical progression of actinic cheilitis.

Immunohistochemical study of macrophages subpopulations associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, with and without metastasis / Estudo imuno-histoquímico das subpopulações de macrófagos associados a tumores em carcinoma epidermoide de língua, com e sem metástase

ABSTRACT Introduction: Stromal cells interact with tumor cells and play an important role in cancer invasion and metastasis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can exhibit M1 phenotype, important immune effector cells, or M2 phenotype, able to suppress the function of M1 macrophages and influence angiogenesis and tissue repair. The CD68 antibody recognizes M1 and M2 macrophages, whereas CD163 antibody is specific only to identify M2 macrophages. Objective: To investigate the presence of TAMs in a number of cases squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue by associating it with the occurrence of metastasis. Material and methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the immunopositivity for CD68 and CD163 in 27 cases of SCC of the tongue. Results: The percentage of CD68 positive macrophages was higher than CD163 positive macrophages in all specimens studied. Comparing CD163 and CD68 immunostaining in the studied groups, it was observed that cases without metastasis had a higher percentage of CD68 positive cells in relation to CD163 positive cells, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Considering these results, there was a predominance of M1 macrophages in SCC of the tongue cases without metastasis, suggesting the influence of these cells in clinical behavior of the lesion.

RESUMO Introdução: As células do estroma interagem com as células neoplásicas e desempenham papel importante na invasão e na metástase do câncer. Os macrófagos associados ao tumor (TAMs) podem se apresentar com fenótipo M1, importantes células efetoras, ou fenótipo M2, capazes de suprimir a função dos macrófagos M1 e influenciar na angiogênese e no reparo tecidual. O anticorpo CD68 reconhece os macrófagos M1 e M2, enquanto o anticorpo CD163 é específico para a identificação apenas de macrófagos M2. Objetivo: Investigar a presença dos TAMs em uma série de casos de carcinoma epidermoide (CE) de língua, associando-a à ocorrência de metástase. Material e métodos: A técnica imuno-histoquímica foi utilizada para avaliar a imunopositividade ao CD68 e CD163 em 27 casos de CE de língua. Resultados: A porcentagem de macrófagos CD68 positivos foi maior do que a de macrófagos CD163 positivos em todos os espécimes estudados. Comparando a imunomarcação de CD68 e CD163 nos grupos estudados, verificou-se que nos casos sem metástase havia maior proporção de células CD68 positivas em relação às CD163 positivas, o que foi estatisticamente significativo. Conclusão: Diante desses resultados, observou-se a predominância de macrófagos M1 em casos de CE de língua sem metástase, sugerindo a influência dessas células no comportamento clínico da lesão.

Factors associated with clinical characteristics and symptoms in a case series of oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic inflammatory disease whose etiopathogenesis is not completely understood. Several factors have been proposed in an attempt to explain the variety of clinical manifestations and periods of exacerbation and remission of symptoms of these lesions. The objective of this study was to associate local factors, systemic diseases, and level of anxiety with clinical characteristics of OLP. METHODS: The following factors were analyzed in 37 patients with OLP: presence of smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatitis C virus infection. Anxiety was measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. These variables were associated with clinical form and symptoms (chi-squared/Fisher's exact test). RESULTS: The erosive form was the most prevalent presentation (57.1%). Symptoms were reported by 45.7% of the patients. Most patients were non-smokers (97.3%), and none of them was an alcoholic. Diabetes and hypertension were present in 10.8% and 16.2% of the patients, respectively. Only one patient was hepatitis C virus seropositive, and 78.4% presented moderate levels of anxiety. No significant association was observed between the variables studied and clinical form or symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no association was observed between local and systemic factors or level of anxiety and clinical characteristics of OLP.