The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 in Radioresistance and Tumor Recurrence.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits considerable variability in patient outcome. It has been reported that SOX2 plays a role in proliferation, tumor growth, drug resistance, and metastasis in a variety of cancer types. Additionally, SOX9 has been implicated in immune tolerance and treatment failures.

The role of tumor acidification in aggressiveness, cell dissemination and treatment resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims: To investigate the role of tumor acidification in cell behavior, migration, and treatment resistance of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Main Methods: The SCC4 and SCC25 cell lines were exposed to acidified (pH 6.8) cell culture medium for 7 days.

Somatic mutations and promotor methylation of the ryanodine receptor 2 is a common event in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer.

Genomic sequencing projects unraveled the mutational landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and provided a comprehensive catalog of somatic mutations. However, the limited number of significant cancer-related genes obtained so far only partially explains the biological complexity of HNSCC and hampers the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We pursued a multiscale omics approach based on whole-exome sequencing, global DNA methylation and gene expression profiling data derived from tumor samples of the HIPO-HNC cohort (n = 87), and confirmed new findings with datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Epidemiology and Molecular Biology of Head and Neck Cancer.

Head and neck cancer is a common and aggressive malignancy with a high morbidity and mortality profile. Although the large majority of cases resemble head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the current classification based on anatomic site and tumor stage fails to capture the high level of biologic heterogeneity, and appropriate clinical management remains a major challenge. Hence, a better understanding of the molecular biology of HNSCC is urgently needed to support biomarker development and personalized care for patients.

Loss of SOX2 expression induces cell motility via vimentin up-regulation and is an unfavorable risk factor for survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Recurrent gain on chromosome 3q26 encompassing the gene locus for the transcription factor SOX2 is a frequent event in human squamous cell carcinoma, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Numerous studies demonstrated that SOX2 expression and function is related to distinct aspects of tumor cell pathophysiology. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood, and the correlation between SOX2 expression and clinical outcome revealed conflicting data.

Oral desmoplastic melanoma mimicking inflammatory hyperplasia.

Introduction: Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) arising in the oral cavity is a rare neoplasm that may be confused with a variety of non-melanocytic benign or malignant lesions.

Objectives: To present a case of DM in the oral mucosa mimicking fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia, discusses the difficulties involved in the diagnosis and offers a literature review on the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemincal aspects of this neoplasm.

Case Report: A 62-year-old white male, smoker, was referred with a chief complaint of pain and swelling in the palate.