Publications by authors named "Raissa Pinheiro de Mendonca"

Background: The invasive behaviour of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a common malignant tumour of the mouth, is a process mediated by cell proliferation, extracellular matrix proteolysis and other factors. Studies have shown a potential relationship between growth factors, metallothionein 2A (MT2A) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in malignant tumours. The aim of this study was to downregulate MT2A in cells (Cal27) derived from human squamous cell carcinoma.

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Ameloblastomas are epithelial odontogenic tumours that, although benign, are locally invasive and may exhibit aggressive behaviour. In the tumour microenvironment, the concentration of oxygen is reduced, which leads to intratumoral hypoxia. Under hypoxia, the crosstalk between the HIF-1α, MMP-2, VEGF, and VEGFR-2 proteins has been associated with hypoxia-induced angiogenesis, leading to tumour progression and increased invasiveness.

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Background: Among cancers affecting the oral cavity, adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a relatively common malignant neoplasm. It has high rates of metastasis and recurrence and is associated with significant morbidity. During the progression of ACC, the oxygen concentration is reduced in specific areas of the tumour microenvironment, leading to intratumoural hypoxia.

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Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign intraosseous lesion of the head and neck with potential for aggressive and locally destructive behaviour. Lesions of the maxilla tend to expand more than those of the mandible due to the thinner cortices and spongy tissue of this location. Surgical removal is the most common treatment; however, it may be disfiguring in aggressive cases, especially for lesions located in the maxilla.

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Purpose: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an intriguing lesion because it shows a slow growth in the beginning, but a late poor prognosis due to perineural invasion, metastasis and recurrence. This study aimed to investigate whether Akt signaling would be deregulated in adenoid cystic carcinoma and its consequence in the expression of associated proteins.

Methods: The expression of the Akt, p-Akt, NFκB, β-catenin, cyclin D1 and COX-2 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 10 cases of ACC, 17 cases of pleomorphic adenoma (PA), and 7 cases of normal salivary gland (NSG).

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