Netta Sion-Vardy

Peripheral osteoma of the mandibular ascending ramus

than this increases the chances of a fracture of the mandible or amputation of the incisor roots. Any muscle attachments noted on the proximal segment after completion of the osteotomy can be released, and this will facilitate advancement of the bony segment. Sequencing of the steps of this procedure is important in preventing intraoperative fracture of the mandible. The genioglossal advancement and rigid plate fixation should be completed before the hyoid suspension. The bilateral tension of the suspension sutures on the proximal segment with a nonsplinted osteotomy could fracture an already weakened symphysis. Lastly, the patient must be kept on a strict soft, nonchewing diet for at least 4 weeks after surgery. The trapezoid osteotomy is a useful procedure for patients needing genioglossus advancement for the MANDIBULAR OSTEOMA

MEASLES VIRUS: EVIDENCE FOR ASSOCIATION WITH LUNG CANCER

In recent years the frequency of nonsmokers among lung cancer patients has increased to 10% to 15%. The measles virus has rarely been evoked as an etiological agent in malignant tumors and its role in carcinogenesis remains doubtful. It has been suggested that measles virus phosphoprotein may inhibit ubiquitination of Pirh2, which has been reported to be overexpressed in lung carcinoma and is responsible for degrading the cell cycle regulator p53. The authors conducted a clinicopathological study of newly diagnosed patients with non–small cell lung carcinoma of all stages seen in a 10-year period. Immunohistochemical studies for measles virus antigens, p53, and Pirh2 were performed using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex. The authors found expression of measles virus antigens in 54 of 65 cases of non–small cell lung carcinoma. This finding is associated with the older age of the patients and with expression of Pirh2. The presence of Pirh2 itself was associated with improved survival.

Localization of PKCη in Cell Membranes as a Predictor for Breast Cancer Response to Treatment

Background: Successful treatment of breast cancer is frequently limited by the resistance of tumors to chemotherapy. Recent studies suggested a role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the resistance to chemotherapy. Here we used retrospective analysis of breast cancer biopsies of neoadjuvantly treated patients to investigate the correlation of PKC expression with aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: Our cohort (n = 25) included patients with advanced and aggressive breast cancers, who underwent neoadjuvant therapy with the CAF regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, fluorouracil). Core biopsies (pre-chemotherapy) and surgical biopsies of primary tumors and lymph node metastases (post-chemotherapy) were scored for PKCeta (PKCη) and PKCepsilon (PKCε) expression in the cytoplasm, cell membrane, nuclear membrane, and the nucleus. Results: Our results showed increased expression of PKCη (not PKCε) in the cytoplasm and cell membranes of post-chemotherapy biopsies (p = 0.03). PKCη presence in cell membranes, indicating activation, was in correlation with poor survival (p = 0.007). Conclusion: PKChη staining in cell and nuclear membranes is an indicator for poor survival and a predictor for the effectiveness of neoadjuvant treatment. Other avenues of treatment should be considered for these patients. PKCη presents a target for therapy where inhibition of its activity and/or translocation to membranes could interfere with the resistance to chemotherapy.