Thermochemotherapy of lower lip squamous cell carcinoma without metastases: an experience of 31 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, functional and aesthetic results, and safety of a novel treatment, thermochemotherapy, for lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC) without metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A combination of local hyperthermia delivered by a 915MHz microwave heating system and the chemotherapy of pingyangmycin (bleomycin A(5) hydrochloride) (PYM) and methotrexate (MTX), was administered to 31 patients of LLSCC twice per week for a period of 4.5-7.5 weeks. Patients with complete response (CR) have been followed up for a full five-year period, whereas partial response (PR) patients were excluded for further analysis. The local control of tumour, functional and cosmetic outcomes, recurrence, regional lymph node and distant metastases, and complications were assessed by clinical and imaging examination. RESULTS: Clinical CR was observed in twenty-nine (93.55%) patients and PR in two (6.45%), the total response rate was 100%, while the adverse effects were extremely minimal and tolerable in all 31 patients including 6 elderly patients with a compromised general condition. All 29 CR, including 8 extensive lesions, achieved excellent cosmetic and functional preservation. During the follow-up period, local relapse was seen in 1 case, 1 patient died, and the remainder obtained a complete remission. CONCLUSION: This clinical study suggests that thermochemotherapy may be a feasible treatment for primary LLSCC without cervical metastases, especially for patients with extensive lesions and a compromised general condition.

[The study of apoptosis induction effect of vitamin E succinate on Tca8113 human tongue cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the apoptosis induction effect of vitamin E succinate (VES) on Tca8113 cells and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: The proliferative activity of Tca8113 was assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. After Tca8113 cells were treated with different concentrations of VES, apoptotic rates were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Fas monoclonal antibody was used for the blocking test. Fas expression was detected by immuocytochemistry(SABC assay) and FCM. RESULTS: VES demonstrated a significant growth inhibitory effect and apoptosis induced effect on the Tca8113 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Fas neutralizing antibody can block the apoptosis induced by VES. After the administration of VES, the expression of Fas protein increased and the kytoplasm staining enhanced. Proteinum quantitative analysis showed that the mean fluorescence intensity increased. CONCLUSION: VES can induce apoptosis in human tongue cancer cells, and the up-regulation of the cell surface Fas protein may play an important role in the process.

[Relationship between the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and microvessel density in oral squamnous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To detective the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and angiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its clinical significance through observing the expression of COX-2 and determining microvessel density (MVD) in OSCC. METHODS: PV-9000 immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of COX-2 and CD34, which was used to determine MVD, in 76 OSCC tissues and 12 normal oral mucosa tissues. RESULTS: Overexpression of COX-2 was detected in OSCC, and was more intense compared with normal epithelium (P < 0.001). The high expression of COX-2 in OSCC was related to neck lymphnode metastasis, tumor size, TNM stage and histological grade (P <0.05). The MVD value in COX-2-positive group was much higher than that in COX-2-negative group (P < 0.01) and that in normal oral mucosa tissues (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The high expression of COX-2 in OSCC was significantly associated with MVD, neck lymphnode metastasis, tumor size, TNM stage and histological grade. COX-2 might be one of the important factors in the angiogenesis of OSCC.

[Expression and significance of cyclin D1 in human adenoid cystic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of cyclin D1 in human adnoid cystic carcinoma and its correlation with clinical characters. METHODS: The expression of cycline D1 was evaluated with immunohistochemical method in forty-one cases of human adnoid cystic carcinoma, 15 cases of PA and 12 cases of normal salivary gland tissue. RESULTS: The expression of cyclin D1 in normal tissue was negative, significantly different from PA and ACC (P < 0.05). The expression level of PA was significantly lower than ACC (P < 0.05). High expression of cyclin D1 was correlated with clinical stage and histological classification (P < 0.05), but not with sex, age, tumor site, recurrence, metastasis. CONCLUSION: High expression of cyclin D1 promotes the formation and development of ACC.