Favia G

Potential markers of tongue tumor progression selected by cDNA microarray.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most frequent malignant tumor of the oral cavity, generally exhibits a poor prognosis and metastases are the main cause of death. This tumor often arises from pre-malignant lesions. To date, it is difficult to predict if and which pre-malignant lesions may progress into oral SCC using traditional methods. For these reasons, several studies are trying to identify markers useful in the progression of pre-malignant lesions and tumors. To define the genetic expression profile of tongue tumor progression we compared 9 dysplasias (DS), 8 tumors without metastasis (TWM), 11 metastasizing SCCs (MT) of the tongue, and a baseline of 11 normal tissues by using cDNA microarray containing 19.2 K clones. We initially applied hierarchical agglomerative clustering based on information from all 6026 clones. Results were obtained by performing a two steps analysis: a Significance Analysis of Microarray (SAM) and a Gene Ontology search. One hundred and five clones have statistically significant different expression levels (FDR <0.01) between DS and TWM, whereas 570 genes have statistically significant difference expression levels between TWM and MT (FDR <0.01) as detected by SAM. By filtering with FatiGo only 33 genes were differentially expressed in TWN, respect to DS, whereas 155 genes were differentially expressed in MT respect to TWM. We detected some genes which encode for oncogenes, transcription factors and cell cycle regulators as potential markers of DS progression. Examples are BAG4, PAX3 and CCNI, respectively. Among potential markers of metastases are some genes related to cell mobility (TSPAN-2 and SNTA1), intercellular adhesion (integrin alpha 7) or extracellular matrix components (ADAMTS2 and cathepsin O). Additionally, under-expressed genes encoded apoptosis-related proteins (PDCD4 and CASP4). In conclusion, we identified several genes differentially expressed in tumor progression which can potentially help in better classifying premalignant lesions and tongue SCCs.

Mucosal leishmaniasis with primary oral involvement: a case series and a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE To analyze retrospectively a case series of primary oral leishmaniasis and to review the literature on head-neck primary mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) in immunocompetent patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A PUBMED search was carried out from 1950 to 2013. Clinical records of patients with primary head-neck mucosal manifestations of leishmaniasis were analyzed. In addition, clinical records between 2001 and 2012 of patients with primary oral manifestations were collected in two independent hospitals. RESULTS Our multicenter case series revealed seven patients with oral leishmaniasis. The most commonly affected site was the tongue (four patients, 57%), and the most common clinical presentation was an exophytic lesion (six patients, 85%). The literature review showed 11 reports published between 2005 and 2013, describing 13 patients (100% male) affected by head-neck primary ML (54% laryngeal, 31% oral, 23% pharyngeal, and 15% endonasal). The most common clinical presentation was an exophytic lesion (69%). CONCLUSIONS The literature analysis revealed that in immunocompetent patients, the oral mucosa is the second most frequently affected site of the head and neck region. In the oral cavity, the tongue is the most affected site. Diagnosis of oral leishmaniasis represents a challenge but must be considered in any differential diagnosis of exophytic lesions of oral mucosa.

New Dimensional Staging of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Allowing a Guided Surgical Treatment Protocol: Long-Term Follow-Up of 266 Lesions in Neoplastic and Osteoporotic Patients from the University of Bari

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is the most serious side effect in patients receiving bisphosphonates (BPs) for neoplastic disease and osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to propose a new dimensional stage classification, guiding the surgical treatment of BRONJ patients, and to evaluate the success rate of this new management. From 2004 to 2013, 203 neoplastic and osteoporotic patients with 266 BRONJ lesions were referred to the Odontostomatology Unit of the University of Bari. All patients underwent surgery after suspension of BPs therapy and antibiotic treatment. The surgical procedure was complemented by piezosurgery and followed by the application of hyaluronate and amino acids. The new dimensional staging suggests the choice of the surgical approach, and allows the prediction of postoperative complications and soft and hard tissues healing time, guiding the surgical treatment protocol. This protocol could be a successful management strategy for BRONJ, considering the low recurrences rate and the good stabilisation of the surgical sites observed after a long-term follow-up.

Orofacial granulomatosis: Report of two cases with gingival onset

Orofacial granulomatosis is a unifying term comprising a variety of clinical conditions involving the face and the oral cavity and histologically characterized by the presence of chronic granulomatous inflammation. Lip swelling and erythema are the most frequent clinical signs. We report on the clinical-pathological features and the management of two cases of orofacial granulomatosis characterized by gingival onset, without other local and systemic manifestations. The diagnosis of orofacial granulomatosis with gingival onset is made by the exclusion of other conditions exhibiting gingival inflammation and/or enlargement. Detailed medical history, haematological investigations and gingival biopsy are fundamental for the definitive diagnosis. Though infrequent, orofacial granulomatosis with gingival involvement should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyperplastic gingivitis of uncertain origin.

Síndrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber o Telangiectasia Hemorrágica Hereditaria (HHT): Descripción de dos casos y revisión de la literatura

El sindrome de Rendu-Osler-Weber, tambien conocido como Telangiectasia Hemorragica Hereditaria, es un desorden vascular cuya prevalencia se estima que afecta a uno de cada 5-8.000 individuos. Se trata de una alteracion vascular displasica multisistemica de caracter autosomico dominante, asociada a dos genes, HHT1 y HHT2, que determinan mutaciones en el gen endoglina (ENG), localizado en el cromosoma 9, y por mutaciones en el gen ALK1, localizado en el cromosoma 12. El 95% de los afectados presentan epitaxis recurrentes, con edad media de comienzo a los 12 anos e incremento progresivo del sangrado nasal en frecuencia y severidad. Generalmente se presenta asociado a malformaciones arteriovenosas pulmonares y/o multiples telangiectasias en sistema gastrointestinal, manos, cara, cavidad oral y afectacion de otras visceras. El diagnostico inicial de HHT continua basandose en la presencia de signos clinicos compatibles junto con la historia familiar. Para el diagnostico molecular es necesario secuenciar las regiones codificantes cormpletas de los genes ALK1 y ENG. El test genetico no es positivo en el 100% de los pacientes con diagnostico clinico de HHT, siendo posible no encontrar en un mismo grupo familiar la mutacion comun. Se revisa la literatura y se presentan dos casos con manifestaciones orales en lengua y labio inferior, sin otras lesiones sistemicas asociadas, tratada en nuestro departamento por problemas odontologicos

Expression of salivary biomarkers in patients with oral mucositis: evaluation by SELDI-TOF/MS

OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate changes in proteomic salivary profile of patients with oral mucositis after adjuvant cancer treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples were collected from patients after adjuvant cancer therapies, and were analyzed by means of SELDI/TOF. Patients were separated in two groups: patients affected by mucositis (MUCOSITIS) and patient without mucositis (NO MUCOSITIS). All patients were divided in function of the anticancer treatment: patients who had radiotherapy (MUCOSITIS RADIO), had not radiotherapy (MUCOSITIS NO RADIO), had chemotherapy (MUCOSITIS CHEMO), and those who had not chemotherapy (MUCOSITIS NO CHEMO). Statistical evaluation PCA (Principal Component Analysis) was conducted with the software BIO-RAD Data Manager(™) (Version 3.5). RESULTS We found the increased peaks of 3443, 3487, and 4135 m/z in MUCOSITIS group, while 6237 m/z was reduced. These same peaks would the same modifications in MUCOSITIS RADIO, while in MUCOSITIS CHEMIO are increased 3443 and 6237 m/z but 3487, 4135 m/z are reduced. These data were confirmed by the PCA. CONCLUSION Anticancer therapy influenced the level expression of many salivary biomarkers in mucositis with a good significance. Therefore, 3443, 3487, 4135, and 6237 m/z are good biomarker candidates of oral mucositis.

Fibrolipoma gigante de la mejilla: a propósito de un caso

El fibrolipoma es una neoplasia de origen mesenquimal, rara en la cavidad oral, representando el 1% de todos los tumores benignos orales. Es una variante histologica del lipoma simple, que normalmente se manifiesta a nivel de la mucosa oral, suelo de la boca, lengua y labios. La etiologia suele ser traumatica cuando afecta localizaciones extraorales, mientras se considera idiopatica al manifestarse a nivel bucal. En este articulo se presenta un raro caso de fibrolipoma de mejilla, y se discuten los aspectos diagnosticos, histo-patologicos y de tratamiento de acuerdo a la literatura.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw after once-a-year intravenous zoledronic acid infusion for osteoporosis: Report of eight cases.

OBJECTIVE Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a commonly reported side effect of antiresorptive drugs prescribed for osteoporosis. Oral bisphosphonates (BPs) are the most frequently administered antiresorptive drugs for osteoporosis, but because of low compliance of the patients with this treatment, which may require weekly or monthly administration, a new formulation (once a year) of zoledronic acid for intravenous infusion has been recently introduced. Although MRONJ has been repeatedly reported in oncologic patients treated with multiple infusions of zoledronic acid, to date MRONJ occurring in patients undergoing once-a-year infusion of zoledronic acid for osteoporosis has been described very rarely. The aim of this study was to report our experience with eight such patients. METHOD AND MATERIALS Eight osteoporotic female patients came to our attention for intraoral necrotic bone exposures with subsequent diagnosis of MRONJ; they had a history of long-term oral antiresorptive therapy but soon developed MRONJ after the shift to once-a-year infusion of zoledronic acid. Consequently, the patients firstly underwent prolonged antibiotic therapy, then surgical removal of the necrotic bone was performed. RESULTS Following antibiotic and surgical treatments, all the patients healed without complications or recurrence. CONCLUSION These cases suggest that, although rare and not yet well documented, MRONJ related to yearly infusion of zoledronic acid may occur in association with significant morbidity and should not be overlooked by either medical or dental clinicians.

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Neuroreceptors in Healthy and Pathological Temporo-Mandibular Joint

Aim: A study was performed on the articular disk and periarticular tissues of the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) with immunohistochemical techniques to give evidence to the presence of neuroreceptors (NRec) in these sites. Methods: The study was carried out on tissue samples obtained from 10 subjects without TMJ disease and from 7 patients with severe TMJ arthritis and arthrosis. We use antibodies directed against following antigens: Gliofibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Leu-7, Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), Neurofilaments 68 kD (NF), Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), S-100 protein (S-100) and Synaptophysin (SYN). Results: This study revealed that Ruffinis-like, Pacinis-like and Golgis-like receptors can be demonstrated in TMJ periarticular tissues and that free nervous endings are present in the subsynovial tissues but not within the articular disk. We observed elongated cytoplamic processes of chondrocytes that demonstrated strong S-100 immunoreactivity but they were unreactive with all other antibodies. These cytoplamic processes were more abundant and thicker in the samples obtained from patients with disease TMJ. Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that different Nrec are detectable in TMJ periarticular tissues but they are absent within the articular disk. In the latter site, only condrocytic processes are evident, especially in diseased TMJ, and they might have been confused with nervous endings in previous morphological studies. Nevertheless the absence of immunoreactivity for NF, NSE and SYN proves that they are not of neural origin.

Diode laser treatment and clinical management of multiple oral lesions in patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is rare, and characterised by vascular dysplasia that leads to various symptoms including visceral arteriovenous malformations and mucocutaneous telangiectatic lesions. Our aim was to describe the clinical features and options for the treatment of multiple oral lesions, and to illustrate the efficacy of the diode laser in the treatment of early (<2mm) and advanced lesions (2mm or more). We report 24 patients with 1200 oral telangiectatic lesions, which were often associated with regular bleeding (from monthly to daily), superinfection, pain, and swelling, and treated with multiple sessions of laser according to the number and size of the lesions. Early lesions were treated with a single laser impulse in ultrapulsed mode, and advanced lesions with repeated laser impulses in pulsed mode (t-on 200ms/t-off 500ms), at a power of 8W. Early lesions healed completely after laser photocoagulation with no operative or postoperative complications, while advanced lesions improved with a remarkable reduction in size but more discomfort. Protective occlusal plates were sometimes used to reduce the incidence of new lesions caused by dental trauma. The treatment of oral telangiectatic lesions is still being debated, and it is important to improve quality of life for patients. Diode laser surgery could be an effective treatment for oral lesions in those with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.