OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression and relationship of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in normal oral mucosa, oral leukoplakia (OLK), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This work also analyzed the relationship between expression levels and clinical factors. This study evaluated the clinical value of LC3B and mTOR as indices to determine the carcinogenic potential of OLK. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of LC3B and mTOR in 20 cases of normal oral mucosa, 120 cases of OLK, and 30 cases of OSCC. The clinical data of 120 patients with OLK were analyzed. The relationships between expression levels and clinical factors were investigated. RESULTS: In normal oral mucosa, OLK and OSCC, the positive rates of LC3B expression were 85.0%, 65.8% and 33.3% (P<0.05), whereas the positive rates of mTOR expression were 20.0%, 48.3% and 76.7% (P<0.05). The expression levels of LC3B and mTOR were correlated and related to clinical typing of OLK (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS LC3B and mTOR can be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of OLK.
Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukoplakia, Oral ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Mouth Mucosa ; Mouth Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism

Sporadic sclerotic fibroma (SF) and solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) arising in the oral cavity are very rare. In this report, we describe two cases of oral pathology, one involving SF and the other involving SFT. Both cases presented with well- circumscribed, firm nodules with similar gross findings. However, the histologic findings of the SF and SFT showed rather distinct features. The SF was composed of hyalinized sclerotic collagen bundles arranged in a whorled pattern, whereas the SFT was formed by spindles cells arranged in hypo- and hypercellular areas. The immunohistochemical findings were similar in both cases; there was positivity for vimentin, CD34, and CD99, but bcl-2 positivity was only seen in the SFT. Although their histopathologies are similar, SF and SFT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors in the oral cavity.
Adult ; Antigens, CD/analysis ; Antigens, CD34/analysis ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma/*diagnosis/metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mouth/chemistry/*pathology ; Mouth Neoplasms/*diagnosis/metabolism ; Neoplasms, Fibrous Tissue/*diagnosis/metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/analysis ; Vimentin/analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the Ag-NORs expressive character of T lymphocyte in patients with oral and maxillofacial tumor and evaluate its diagnostic value for the patients.

METHODSNucleolar organizer regions(NORs) of T lymphocyte from 86 normal adults, 102 patients with oral and maxillofacial benign tumors and 87 patients with oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors were analyzed through KL imaging system.

RESULTSThere was significant difference among normal adults, benign and malignant patients (P < 0.01). Their average I.S% values were 7.87 +/- 0.12, 5.72 +/- 0.14, 4.19 +/- 0.13, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Ag-NORs of T lymphocyte has definite relation with oral and maxillofacial tumors; detection of Ag-NORs might play valuable in diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial tumors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, Nuclear ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; immunology ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; immunology ; metabolism ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; metabolism ; Silver Staining ; T-Lymphocytes ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; Ultrasonography

Proteases are important molecules that are involved in many physiological and pathological processes of the human body, such as growth, apoptosis and metastasis cancer cells. They are potential targets in cancer diagnosis and biotherapy. In this study, we analyzed the salivary protease spectrum of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral benign masses and chronic periodontitis, as well as that of health, using human protease array kits, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot and immunofluorescence. The salivary protease spectrum was found to be associated with oral diseases. For example, the saliva of patients with OSCC contained increased numbers of proteases than those of other oral diseases and health. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2, MMP-10, MMP-12, A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM)9, A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 13 motifs (ADAMST13), cathepsin V and kallikrein 5 in the saliva of patients with OSCC were significantly increased compared with those of other groups. Taking MMP-1, cathepsin V, kallikrein 5 and ADAM9 as biomarkers of OSCC, cutoff values were199, 11.34, 9.29 and 202.55 pg·mL, respectively. From the area under the curve, sensitivity and specificity, the combination of cathepsin V/kallikrein5/ADAM9 was an optimal biomarker for diagnosing OSCC. Thus, analysis of the salivary protease spectrum may be an innovative and cost-efficient approach to evaluating the health status of the oral cavity. Specifically, increases in cathepsin V, kallikrein 5 and ADAM9 may be useful biomarkers in the screening and diagnosis of OSCC.
ADAM Proteins ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; Membrane Proteins ; Mouth Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Saliva ; chemistry

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Cell Proliferation ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Early Diagnosis ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mouth Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Polymorphism, Genetic