Expression of Aberrant MicroRNAs and p16INK4a Associated with HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 42, 43, 44, 45, 52, 53, and 56) in Oral Dysplasia and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: A few studies indicate that human papillomavirus (HPV) induces aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and correlate this with p16INK4a in oral dysplasia (OD) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the expression of miRNA-21, miRNA-22, and miRNA-224 by q-PCR and the p16 INK4a by immunohistochemical (IHC) as markers for HPV-positive OSCC and OD in comparison to controls as miRNA expression can be altered by the HPV oncogenes and hence can be used as a biomarker for HPV positive cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two specimens were collected from archived paraffin blocks for patients aged between 19 and 88 (31 males and 21 females) from various oral sites. They were examined by IHC using p16 INK4a, by RT-PCR for the detection of HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 42, 43, 44, 45, 52, 53, 56), and by q-PCR for the expression of miRNA-21, miRNA-22, and miRNA-224 in positive specimens. RESULTS: Out of the 15 OD, three were positive by both techniques. Meanwhile, 17 out of all OSCC specimens showed intense nuclear and cytoplasmic staining by p16 INK4a, and only 16 were also positive by RT-PCR. However, all control specimens were negative. MiRNA-21, miRNA-22, and miRNA-224 were overexpressed in 3 specimens of OD and 16 of OSCC. CONCLUSION: MiRNA-21, miRNA-22, and miRNA-224, besides p16 INK4a, could be used as indicators for HPV-associated OD and OSCC as their expression is attributed to the HPV oncoprotein. Further studies using follow-up data should be done to correlate it with miRNA overexpression.

MALAT1 as a potential salivary biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma through targeting miRNA-124.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the long non-coding RNA "MALAT1" measured in the saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and assess the salivary expression of microRNA-124, which MALAT1 targets. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty subjects were collected in a consecutive pattern and allocated into two groups. Group A included 20 patients with OSCC, while Group B included 20 healthy subjects. Salivary expression of MALAT1 and microRNA (miRNA)-124 was evaluated in the two study groups using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and correlated with histopathological examination of OSCC subjects. RESULTS: OSCC yielded a statistically significant higher expression of MALAT1 than healthy controls and a lower expression of miRNA-124 in OSCC than controls. There is a statistically significant inverse relationship between salivary MALAT1 and miRNA-124. Moreover, there is a statistically significant difference in the MALAT1 expression in saliva samples from metastatic cases compared with non-metastatic cases, as well as in patients with lymph node involvement compared with those without involvement. At a cut-off value of 2.24, salivary MALAT1 exhibited 95% sensitivity and 90% specificity in differentiating OSCC from healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Salivary MALAT1 acts as a sponge for miRNA-124 and could be a potential salivary biomarker for OSCC.

The Therapeutic Potential of Inflamed Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Preclinical Studies: A Scoping Review of a Unique Biomedical Waste.

Searching for considerable abundance, simple, and accessible sources in stem cell-based therapy opens the door for isolation of a new population of oral/dental stem cells known as inflamed gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which have recently come to light with promising therapeutic potential in tissue regenerative therapy. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, this scoping review is aimed at highlighting the possible therapeutic potential of inflamed gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells in preclinical studies carried out to date and presenting the current evidence depends upon their comparison to the healthy gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells or other mesenchymal stem cell sources. A comprehensive electronic search using (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) databases and a manual search of relevant references were conducted until June 2020. Included studies were assessed using a combination tool, including the guidelines for reporting preclinical in vitro studies on dental materials, which were based on the modification of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trial checklist and the guidelines for animal research: reporting of in vivo experiments. The initial research provided 360 articles, with 13 articles that met the inclusion criteria. While most of the included studies lacked randomization, blinding, and sample size calculation, they were designed accurately in other aspects of the guidelines. The results of this scoping review indicated that inflamed gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells could be effective in terms of osteogenic differentiation, collagen fiber formation, immunoregulation, migration capacity, and testing of dental material and may present a reliable alternative source for healthy gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Case Report: Rare site for intraoral meningioma.

Extracranial meningioma is very rare with few cases reported, especially in the oral cavity. Its diagnosis considered a challenge owing to the unusual site of occurrence.  We report, to our knowledge, the first case of extra-cranial meningioma as a primary tumor in the palate with no detected intracranial extension. A 59-year-old female Egyptian patient presented with a 22-year history of a large painless swelling at the right side of the palate, which could not be seen on radiographs.  An incisional biopsy was taken and, after assessment with a panel of immunohistochemical markers, the lesion was diagnosed as extracranical meningioma. The patient did not show up for surgical excision and follow-up was not performed because of loose of contact with the patient. Intraoral meningioma is a rare unsuspected tumor. Immuohistochemical markers are important when confirming this diagnosis.

Candida Albicans Alcohol Dehydrogenase 1 gene in oral dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

This study was designed to examine the prevalence of Candida albicans alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (CaADH1) gene in oral dysplasia as well as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with and without lymph node metastasis (LNM) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in order to determine its role in initiation, propagation and metastasis of oral dysplasia and carcinoma. Formalin-fixed parafin-embedded specimens were grouped into four groups: 7 control, 16 oral dysplasia, 16 OSCC without LNM and 15 OSCC with LNM. All specimens were examined by periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain to detect Candida hyphae, while CaADH1 gene was detected using RT-PCR. Candida hyphae were detected by PAS stain in one specimen of oral dysplasia group, 5 OSCC without LNM and 5 OSCC with LNM. CaADH1 gene was detected in 29 specimens (one case of sever dysplasia, 16 OSCC without LNM and 12 OSCC with LNM), with a highly statistically significant between the groups. CaADH1 gene is associated with OSCC with and without metastasis whereas in oral dysplasia it could not be estimated. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm the role of CaADH1 in oral dysplasia and OSCC.

Case Report: A Primordial odontogenic tumor.

Introduction: Primordial odontogenic tumors are a rare recently described mixed odontogenic tumor composed histopathologically of dental papilla like tissue and enamel organ like tissue. Only nine cases have been documented worldwide and we are reporting the tenth case which is from Egypt. Clinical finding: A 2-year-old Egyptian boy that presented with an asymptomatic swelling of the mandible which appeared with multilocular radiolucency associated with an impacted developing tooth on a computerized tomography (CT) scan. Diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes: The lesion was excised and diagnosed as a primordial odontogenic tumor. The patient was followed up for two years with no recurrence. Conclusion: Differentiation of primordial odontogenic tumors from other odontogenic tumors, which resemble it histopathologically is crucial to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatment.

Is human papilloma virus associated with salivary gland neoplasms? An in situ-hybridization study.

OBJECTIVE: HPV can infect cells of epithelial origin and is closely associated with carcinomas. Studies investigating its presence in salivary gland neoplasms are few and conflicting. METHODS: Detection of HPV types 16 & 18 was done on 34 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival material of different salivary gland neoplasms using Digene HPV types 16 & 18 probe using in situ hybridization technique. RESULTS: Eight of neoplastic salivary gland specimens were positively infected by HPV types 16 & 18. Seven of them were benign (4 Warthin's tumour, 2 pleomorphic adenoma and one myoepithelioma), in addition to one malignant specimen (lymphoma). Correlation was found between the incidence of HPV infection and histological differentiation of salivary gland neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS: An association exists between HPV infections and salivary gland neoplasms. However, given the sparse pattern of reactive cells, it cannot be confirmed that this virus is implicated in the aetiology of this group of tumours.