Cell proliferation and apoptosis in ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors.

A high proliferative activity of the odontogenic epithelium in ameloblastoma (AM) and keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KOT) has been demonstrated. However, no previous study has simultaneously evaluated cell proliferation and apoptotic indexes in AM and KOT, comparing both lesions. The aim of this study was to assess and compare cell proliferation and apoptotic rates between these two tumors.

Cell proliferation and apoptosis in keratocystic odontogenic tumors.

Objectives: Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs), also known as odontogenic keratocysts, were recently classified as a benign neoplasia due to the aggressive clinical behavior. Although several studies have shown the high proliferative activity of the epithelial lining, few studies have evaluated apoptosis in KOTs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the proliferation index (PI) and the apoptotic index (AI) of the epithelial lining in sporadic KOTs, KOTs associated with the Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS KOTs), and dentigerous cysts.