Mohammad A. Ali

Lymphatic microvessel density and the expression of lymphangiogenic factors in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: In this study, the expression of several lymphangiogenic growth factors was investigated to determine the mechanism underlying lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCCa). Materials and Methods: An immunohistochemical study was performed to determine the lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I/II), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in 25 OSCCa and 20 normal oral mucosal tissue samples. Results: Significantly higher levels of expression of VEGF, PDGF, bFGF, HGF, IGF-I, and IGF-II existed in OSCCa tissue compared to normal oral mucosal tissue (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.01, respectively; Mann-Whitney test). In OSCCa samples, significant positive correlations, based on the Spearman correlation test, existed between the LMVD and VEGF (r = 0.573; p < 0.01), PDGF (r = 0.559; p < 0.01), bFGF (r = 0.516; p < 0.01), HGF (r = 0.448; p < 0.05), and IGF-I (r = 0.6; p < 0.01), but no correlation existed between LMVD and IGF-II (r = 0.380; p > 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that several growth factors may promote lymphangiogenesis in OSCCa. Future treatment for OSCCa utilizing antilymphangiogenic agents should target these different growth factor signaling pathways that are involved in lymphangiogenesis in OSCCa.

Biopsied jaw lesions in Kuwait: a six-year retrospective analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of jaw lesions in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: Biopsy records and microscopic sections of all jaw biopsies seen in the Department of Histopathology at Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, during the period January 2004 to December 2009 were reviewed. The biopsies were divided into three major groups: developmental/inflammatory/reactive lesions (group 1), cystic lesions (group 2), and tumors and tumor-like lesions (group 3). Groups 2 and 3 were subdivided into odontogenic and nonodontogenic. Results: Three hundred and eighty-five cases were reviewed. Of the 385 cases, 115 (29.9%) were in group 1, 178 (46.2%) in group 2, and 92 (23.9%) in group 3. Overall, radicular cysts (n = 95; 24.7%) were the most common biopsied jaw lesions, followed by chronic apical periodontitis (n = 59; 15.3%), dentigerous cysts (n = 51; 13.2%), and keratocystic odontogenic tumors (n = 30; 7.8%). In group 1, chronic apical periodontitis was the most frequent lesion (n = 59; 51.3%). In group 2, odontogenic cysts (n = 166; 93.3%) were more frequent than nonodontogenic cysts (n = 12; 6.7%), and radicular cysts (n = 95; 53.4%) were the most frequent lesions in this group. Odontogenic tumors (n = 61; 66.3%) were more frequent than nonodontogenic tumors (n = 31; 33.7%) in group 3. Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (n = 30; 32.6%) were the most frequent type of lesion in this group, followed by ameloblastoma (n = 17; 18.5%). Only 3 malignant lesions were found in this study. Conclusions: Cystic and inflammatory lesions of the jaw are more common than tumors and tumor-like lesions of the jaw in Kuwait. The majority of inflammatory lesions that occurred in the jaw were related to periapical inflammation. Most cystic and tumorous jaw lesions were odontogenic in origin. Locally aggressive odontogenic tumors were relatively more common than nonaggressive ones. Malignant jaw tumors were relatively rare.

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in odontogenic cysts

OBJECTIVE Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is known to induce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production. The expression of EMMPRIN in odontogenic cysts has not been previously studied. This study was done to determine the presence and the variability of EMMPRIN expression in various types of odontogenic cysts. STUDY DESIGN An immunohistochemical study using a polyclonal anti-EMMPRIN antibody was done using 48 odontogenic cyst cases: 13 odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), 18 dentigerous cysts (DCs), and 17 periapical cysts (PAs). Twelve cases of normal dental follicles (DFs) were also included in this study for comparison. RESULTS EMMPRIN immunoreactivity was detected in all of the cysts and DFs studied. In odontogenic cysts, EMMPRIN immunoreactivity was generally higher in basal cells than in suprabasal cells. The overall EMMPRIN expression in the epithelial lining of the 3 different types of odontogenic cyst was significantly higher than in the DFs. Overall EMMPRIN expression was also found to be significantly higher in the epithelial lining of OKCs than in the other types of cysts. CONCLUSION This study confirmed that EMMPRIN is present in odontogenic cysts and DFs. The higher EMMPRIN expression in OKCs suggests that it may be involved in the aggressive behavior of this type of cyst.

Biopsied oral soft tissue lesions in Kuwait: a six-year retrospective analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of biopsied oral soft tissue lesions in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: Biopsy records and microscopic sections of all oral soft tissue biopsies seen in the Department of Histopathology at Al-Amiri Hospital, Kuwait, between January 2004 and December 2009 were reviewed. The biopsies were divided into two major groups; group 1: nonneoplastic lesions, and group 2: neoplastic lesions. Group 1 was subdivided into reactive, inflammatory, cyst/cyst-like, dysplastic, and pigmented lesions. Group 2 was subdivided into epithelial and mesenchymal lesions, and also into benign and malignant lesions. Results: Of the 858 biopsies, 732 (85.3%) were nonneoplastic while the remaining 126 (14.7%) were neoplastic. In group 1, more than half of the lesions were within the reactive subgroup (n = 386; 52.7%) while in group 2, 94 (74.6%) lesions were epithelial in origin and 32 (25.4%) were mesenchymal. In addition, 70 (55.6%) lesions were malignant and 56 (44.4%) were benign. Of the 858 biopsies, the most common lesions were fibrous hyperplasias: 178 (20.7%); mucoceles: 110 (12.8%); pyogenic granulomas: 94 (11.0%); squamous cell carcinomas: 56 (6.5%), and lichenoid mucositis: 49 (5.7%). Conclusions: The majority of the lesions were nonneoplastic and were related to local irritation or trauma. Most neoplastic lesions were epithelial in origin. Oral squamous cell carcinoma was one of the most prevalent oral lesions highlighting the importance of prevention, early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer.

Contents Vol. 17, 2008

507 Abstracts of Award-Winning Posters, 13th Annual Health Sciences Poster Conference, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University, Kuwait, April 22–24, 2008 512 Abstracts of Theses Approved for the MSc and PhD Degrees at the Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University, Kuwait 515 List of Reviewers Vol. 17, 2008 517 Author Index Vol. 17, 2008 519 Subject Index Vol. 17, 2008