Recurrent sores by ill-fitting dentures and intra-oral squamous cell carcinoma in smokers

Objectives: To examine whether denture use and recurrent sores caused by ill-fitting dentures are associated with intra-oral squamous cell carcinoma (IO-SCC) in individuals exposed to tobacco. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study. The study population comprised 124 patients with IO-SCC and the same number of controls (individually paired according to gender and age) recruited from outpatient units of the same hospital. Conditional logistic regression analysis assessed the effect of denture use and recurrent oral sores by ill-fitting dentures, adjusted by covariates on the lifetime exposure to alcohol and tobacco, socioeconomic standings, and dietary patterns. Results: The use of dentures showed no association with IO-SCC [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.40, 95 percent confidence interval 0.51-3.87, P = 0.513] in an assessment controlled by socioeconomic position, lifetime exposure to alcohol and tobacco, and dietary patterns. However, the report of recurrent sores caused by ill-fitting dentures showed significant association with the disease (adjusted OR 4.58, 95 percent confidence interval 1.52-13.76, P = 0.007). Conclusions: The association between recurrent oral sores caused by ill-fitting dentures and squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth in smokers is in agreement with the hypothesis that the chronic physical irritation of oral mucosa contributes to the topical carcinogenic effect of tobacco, which must be taken into careful consideration in the planning of dental services for adults and the elderly.

Comparison of biological behavior between early-stage adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Objectives: (1) To compare the anatomopathological variables and recurrence rates in patients with early-stage adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix; (2) to identify the independent risk factors for recurrence. Study design: This historical cohort study assessed 238 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix (113 and IIA), who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection between 1980 and 1999. Comparison of category variables between the two histological types was carried out using the Pearson`s X-2 test or Fisher exact test. Disease-free survival rates for AC and SCC were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the curves were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the independent risk factors for recurrence. Results: There were 35 cases of AC (14.7%) and 203 of SCC (85.3%). AC presented lower histological grade than did SCC (grade 1: 68.6% versus 9.4%; p < 0.001), lower rate of lymphovascular space involvement (25.7% versus 53.7%; p = 0.002), lower rate of invasion into the middle or deep thirds of the uterine cervix (40.0% versus 80.8%; p < 0.001) and lower rate of lymph node metastasis (2.9% versus 16.3%; p = 0.036). Although the recurrence rate was lower for AC than for SCC (11.4% versus 15.8%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.509). Multivariate analysis identified three independent risk factors for recurrence: presence of metastases in the pelvic lymph nodes, invasion of the deep third of the uterine cervix and absence of or slight inflammatory reaction in the cervix. When these variables were adjusted for the histological type and radiotherapy status, they remained in the model as independent risk factors. Conclusion: The AC group showed less aggressive histological behavior than did the SCC group, but no difference in the disease-free survival rates was noted. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laminin-derived peptide AG73 regulates migration, invasion, and protease activity of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells through syndecan-1 and beta 1 integrin

Squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent head and neck tumor with high mortality. We studied the role played by laminin alpha 1 chain peptide AG73 on migration, invasion, and protease activity of cells (OSCC) from human oral squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyzed expression of laminin alpha 1 chain and MMP9 in oral squamous cells carcinoma in vivo and in vitro. Migratory activity of AG73-treated OSCC cells was investigated by monolayer wound assays and in chemotaxis chambers. AG73-induced invasion was assessed in Boyden chambers. Invasion depends on MMPs. Conditioned media from cells grown on AG73 was subjected to zymography. We searched for AG73 receptors related to these activities in OSCC cells. Immunofluorescence analyzed AG73induced colocalization of syndecan-1 and beta 1 integrin. Cells had these receptors silenced by siRNA, followed by treatment with AG73 and analysis of migration, invasion, and protease activity. Oral squamous cell carcinoma expresses laminin alpha 1 chain and MMP9. OSCC cells treated with AG73 showed increased migration, invasion, and protease activity. AG73 induced colocalization of syndecan-1 and beta 1 integrin. Knockdown of these receptors decreased AG73-dependent migration, invasion, and protease activity. Syndecan-1 and beta 1 integrin signaling downstream of AG73 regulate migration, invasion, and MMP production by OSCC cells.

Hematoporphyrin-based photodynamic therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in cats

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a haematoporphyrin derivative (Photogem (R), General Physics Institute and clustes Ltda) as photosensitizer and light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source was evaluated in 12 cats with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Lesions were illuminated with LEDs, (300 J/cm for 30 min) 24 h after the administration of the photosensitizer. Clinical responses were classified as complete disappearance of the tumour with total re-epithelialization; partial response (a reduction greater than 50%); and no response (less than 50% reduction). Tumours localized to the pinna treated with one (n = 3) or two (n = 4) applications of PDT yielded no response. Highly invasive tumours of the nose and nasal planum also showed no response, after two treatments (n = 2). A combination of PDT and surgery was performed in three cases. Two cats showed partial response and one complete response with one application of therapy 30 days after nasal surgery. Small and noninfiltrative lesions (n = 3) of the nasal planum showed a PR with one application (n = 2) and a CR with two applications (n = 1). This study shows that PDT using Photogem (R) and LEDs can provide local control of low-grade feline squamous cell carcinoma. The addition of PDT to surgery in more invasive cases may help prevent recurrence.

Gene expression profiling reveals molecular marker candidates of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma is very common in head and neck cancer, with high mortality rates and poor prognosis. In this study, we compared expression profiles of clinical samples from 13 larynx tumors and 10 non-neoplastic larynx tissues using a custom-built cDNA microarray containing 331 probes for 284 genes previously identified by informatics analysis of EST databases as markers of head and neck tumors. Thirty-five genes showed statistically significant differences (SNR >= 11.01, p <= 0.001) in the expression between tumor and non-tumor larynx tissue samples. Functional annotation indicated that these genes are involved in cellular processes relevant to the cancer phenotype, such as apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA repair, proteolysis, protease inhibition, signal transduction and transcriptional regulation. Six of the identified transcripts map to intronic regions of protein-coding genes and may comprise non-annotated exons or as yet uncharacterized long ncRNAs with a regulatory role in the gene expression program of larynx tissue. The differential expression of 10 of these genes (ADCY6, AES, AL2SCR3, CRR9, CSTB, DUSP1, MAP3K5, PLAT, UBL1 and ZNF706) was independently confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Among these, the CSTB gene product has cysteine protease inhibitor activity that has been associated with an antimetastatic function. Interestingly, CSTB showed a low expression in the tumor samples analyzed (p<0.0001). The set of genes identified here contribute to a better understanding of the molecular basis of larynx cancer, and provide candidate markers for improving diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this carcinoma.

The ileum as a determinant organ of the functional liver cell mass in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate if the ileum resection changes the functioning liver cell mass, the hepatic metabolism and the biodistribution of radiopharmaceutical in rats. METHODS: Twelve Wistar rats weighing 285g±34g were randomly divided into the ileum resection group (n = 6) and sham group rats (n = 6). After 30 days, they were anesthetized and 0.1mL of 99m-Tc-phytate(0.66MBq) was injected via femoral vein. After 30 minutes, blood samples were collected for red blood cells radioactive labeling and serum ALT, AST and gammaGT. Liver samples were used for 99m-Tc-phytatepercentage of radioactivity/gram of tissue and histopathology. Student’s t test was used with significance 0.05. RESULTS: There was a higher uptake of 99m-Tc-phytate in the liver of sham rats, compared to the ileum resection group (p<0.05). GammaGT, ALT and AST were increased in ileum resection rats compared to sham (p<0.05). The he patocytes count was significantly lower in ileum resection group than in sham (p<0.05). Liver: body mass ratio was lower in experimental animals than in sham group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These data support that the ileum has important role in liver function and liver mass regulation, and they have potential clinical implications regarding the pathogenesis of liver injury following lower bowel resection.

Prognostic significance of beta-2 adrenergic receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Hypertrophic osteopathy associated with renal pelvis transitional cell carcinoma in a dog

A 6-year-old male, Belgian shepherd dog was presented with lethargy, oliguria, hematuria, and reluctance to move. The dog developed hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to renal pelvis transitional cell carcinoma. A nephrectomy was performed and after a year, the dog was completely asymptomatic, and no evidence of metastatic disease was present.

Actinic cheilitis and squamous cell carcinoma of the lip: clinical, histopathological and immunogenetic aspects

Queilite actínica é a principal lesão pré-neoplásica do lábio. O carcinoma espinocelular do lábio é incluído nas estatísticas brasileiras junto com os cânceres de boca e, em conjunto, somam 40% dos cânceres de cabeça e pescoço. Há certo desconhecimento médico e odontológico em geral quanto aos fatores relacionados à carcinogênese e à progressão de tumores de boca. Genes de supressão tumoral e proteínas regulatórias de proliferação celular exercem papel na evolução da queilite actínica para carcinoma espinocelular e no comportamento biológico deste. O conhecimento de marcadores de diagnóstico e prognóstico e sua investigação têm utilidade no acompanhamento de tais pacientes.

Corrective eyeglasses and medial canthal basal cell carcinoma: a case-control study

Background Corrective eyeglasses are frequently worn by adults, particularly at older ages. Their lenses and frames provide ultraviolet protection. Medial canthal basal cell carcinomas are infrequent (38%), and their relation with the use of corrective glasses was not yet investigated. Objectives To assess the prevalence of corrective eyeglasses use in individuals with medial canthal basal cell carcinoma. Methods Case-control study using two controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity for each case. Cases were patients with medial canthal basal cell carcinoma, and controls were patients with basal cell carcinoma elsewhere on the face. The prevalence of major risk variables was estimated and adjusted by conditional multiple logistic regression. Results Fifty cases and 100 controls were assessed. The mean patient age was 69.7 years, and 54% of the subjects were females. No difference regarding the eyeglasses use or use duration was found between groups. However, when visual defects were separately evaluated, eyeglasses for myopia correction were independently associated with lower risk of medial canthal basal cell carcinoma development (OR = 0.26; P = 0.03), what can be related to long term local photoprotection. Conclusion The use of eyeglasses for myopia correction is associated with lower prevalence of medial cantal basal cell carcinoma. Risk-reducing mechanisms should be elucidated.

Association between CD31 expression and histopathologic features in stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

This study was undertaken to evaluate the association between the expression of CD31 in the tumor and the histopathologic findings in patients with carcinoma of the cervix. This study included prospectively 30 women, aged 46.6 +/- 10.7 years, with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix submitted to radical hysterectomy from November 2001 to September 2002. Samples from the tumor were taken and immunohistochemically evaluated by a monoclonal antibody for CD31. Clinicopathologic characteristics such as stage, tumor size, grade of differentiation, lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI), parametrial involvement, and status of pelvic lymph nodes were also recorded. The clinical stage (FIGO) was IB1 in 22 patients (73.3%) and IB2 in 8 patients (26.7%). The expression of CD31 was significantly associated with tumor size and the presence of LVSI, but not with grade of differentiation and vaginal or parametrial involvement (P= 0.03, P= 0.032, P= 0.352, P= 0.208, and P= 0.242, respectively). on univariate analysis, the presence of pelvic lymph node metastasis was influenced by LVSI (P= 0.003) and CD31 expression (P= 0.032). However, on multivariate analysis, the presence of LVSI (P= 0.007) was the only independent predictor of pelvic lymph node metastasis. The CD31 expression in tumor is significantly associated with LVSI and tumor size in patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

DNA damage in cytologically normal urothelial cells of patients with a history of urothelial cell carcinoma

In order to determine if patients with a history of previous urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) but with current normal urinary cytology have DNA damage in urothelial cells, the single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was conducted with cells obtained by urinary bladder washings from 44 patients (28 with a history of previous UCC). Increased DNA damage was observed in cytologically normal urothelial cells of patients with a history of UCC when compared with referents with no similar history and after correcting the data for smoking status and age (P < 0.018). Increased DNA damage also correlated with the highest tumor grade, irrespective of time or course of the disease after clinical intervention (Kendall tau correlation, 0.37, P = 0.016). Moreover, aneuploidy, as assessed by DNA content ratio (DCR; 75th/25th percentile of total DNA fluorescence of 50 comets/patient) was unaltered by smoking status, but increased with UCC grade: 1.39 +/- 0.12 (median +/- 95% confidence interval; referents); 1.43 +/- 0.11 (Grade I UCC; P = 0.264, against referents); 1.49 +/- 0.16 (Grade II UCC; P = 0.057); 1.57 +/- 0.16 (Grade III UCC; P = 0.003). Micronucleated urothelial cells (MNC) were also scored on Giemsa-stained routine cytological smears and were found not to correlate with DNA damage or DCR. MNC frequencies were higher for patients with a history of UCC and/or smoking than referents with neither history, but there was no statistical difference between groups. Taken together, these results suggest that the normal-appearing urothelium of patients resected for UCC still harbor genetically unstable cells. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

HLA-G polymorphism and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in a Brazilian population

The morphologic appearance and clinical behavior of the human urinary bladder papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) probably result from a complex interaction between carcinogenic insults and host resistance during the patient's life. While the main recognized risk factors are of environmental origin (e.g. smoking), relatively little information exists about the susceptibility to TCC development. The human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) molecule plays an important role in immune response regulation and has been implicated in the inhibition of the cytolytic function of natural killer and cytotoxic T cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that HLA-G polymorphisms influence the expression level and production of different HLA-G isoforms. The aim of this study was to explore a possible influence of the HLA-G polymorphism on the susceptibility to urinary bladder TCC development and progression in smokers and nonsmokers Brazilian subjects. The HLA-G locus was found to be associated with susceptibility to TCC development and progression. The G*0104 allelic group (specially the G*010404 allele) and the G*0103 allele were associated with a tobacco-dependent influence on TCC development. The G*0104 group was associated with progression to high-grade tumors, irrespective of smoking habit, while the G*0103 allele was associated to high-grade tumor only in smoking patients. Our results are an evidence that the HLA-G locus itself, or as part of an extended haplotype encompassing this chromosome region (particularly the HLA-A given the high linkage disequilibrium observed between them in this data series), may be associated with TCC susceptibility and tumor progression, suggesting a tobacco-dependent influence of these polymorphisms.

Surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma recurrence at the renal fossa following radical nephrectomy

CONTEXTO: A recorrência local única do carcinoma renal de células claras em seu leito renal após nefrectomia radical é um evento raro. Estima-se que essa situação ocorra em 0,8% a 3,6% do total de procedimentos. Comumente, seu diagnóstico é realizado através de tomografia computadorizada de abdômen ou ultra-som renal usados no acompanhamento desses pacientes. É polêmico qual o melhor tratamento dessa rara condição entre urologistas e oncologistas devido aos poucos relatos em literatura. RELATO DE CASO: Relatamos um caso de recidiva neoplásica única no leito renal após quatro anos e meio da nefrectomia radical por adenocarcinoma de células claras, sem evidência de metástases a distância em outros órgãos. O diagnóstico foi realizado por meio de tomografia abdominal em acompanhamento ambulatorial, observando-se massa retroperitoneal em topografia renal. A massa foi retirada por meio de uma incisão subcostal ampliada, em cirurgia sem intercorrências. O paciente evoluiu bem no pós-operatório. Após um ano e meio do procedimento, foi evidenciada uma metástase no pulmão esquerdo, e seis meses após, outra recorrência metastática na nona costela anterior à direita, mesmo com paciente totalmente assintomático. O tratamento cirúrgico agressivo em recorrência local única é um bom método para controlar essa rara doença. Tomografia computadorizada de abdômen deve ser feita em acompanhamento de carcinoma renal por longos períodos após a nefrectomia radical para o diagnóstico de recorrências tardias e o tratamento deve ser feito como o de uma metástase recorrente única.