Podoplanin Expression Independently and Jointly with Oral Epithelial Dysplasia Grade Acts as a Potential Biomarker of Malignant Transformation in Oral Leukoplakia.

Our aim was to evaluate the expression of biomarkers, CD44v6, CD147, EGFR, p53, p63, p73, p16, and podoplanin in oral leukoplakias (OL) and to assess their potential for prediction of malignant transformation (MT). We analyzed the expression of CD44v6, CD147, EGFR, p53, p63, p73, p16, and podoplanin by immunohistochemistry in 52 OL, comprised of 41 low-grade (LG) dysplasia and 11 high-grade (HG) cases. Twelve healthy normal tissues (NT) were also included.

Spindly and Bub3 expression in oral cancer: Prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Objectives: Bub3 and Spindly are essential proteins required for the activation and inactivation of the spindle assembly checkpoint, respectively. Here, we explored the clinicopathological significance and the therapeutic potential of the opposing roles of the two proteins in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Materials And Methods: Bub3 and Spindly expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 62 tissue microarrays from OSCC and by real-time PCR in OSCC cell lines and in normal human oral keratinocytes.

EMMPRIN expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas: correlation with tumor proliferation and patient survival.

The aim of our study was to explore the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), and its relation with the proliferative tumor status of OSCC. We examined EMMPRIN and Ki-67 proteins expression by immunohistochemistry in 74 cases with OSCC. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine their clinicopathological and prognostic significance in OSCC.

Phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin is associated with an adverse outcome in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the expression of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome TEN (PTEN) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and relate them with clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome.

Study Design: We analyzed p-mTOR and PTEN protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 72 OSCCs. Multivariate analysis was conducted to examine their role in survival.

Usefulness of labial salivary gland biopsy in familial amyloid polyneuropathy Portuguese type.

Background: The diagnosis of amyloidosis of all types is definitively made by demonstration of Congo red binding material in the affected tissues. Nerve biopsy was classically used to diagnose amyloid polyneuropathy but less invasive alternative types of biopsies have been proposed including labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsy, a minimally invasive procedure.

Method: LSG biopsies were done in 87 subjects with molecular diagnosis of TTRVal30Met mutation.

Activation of ERK1/2 MAP kinases in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the extracellular deposition of transthyretin (TTR), especially in the PNS. Given the invasiveness of nerve biopsy, salivary glands (SG) from FAP patients were used previously in microarray analysis; mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) was down-regulated in FAP. Results were validated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry both in SG and in nerve biopsies of different stages of disease progression.