PD-L1 expression correlated with p53 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immune checkpoint molecule that attenuates the immune response. PD-L1 contributes to failed antitumor immunity; thereby, blockade of PD-L1 with monoclonal antibody enhances the immune response. Recently, it was reported that PD-L1 was regulated by protein 53 (p53).

Risk of lingual nerve injuries in removal of mandibular third molars: a retrospective case-control study.

Background: Through the analysis of clinical data, we attempted to investigate the etiology and determine the risk of severe iatrogenic lingual nerve injuries in the removal of the mandibular third molar.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who had undergone microsurgical repair of lingual nerve injuries. The following data were collected and analyzed: patient sex, age, nerve injury side, type of impaction (Winter's classification, Pell and Gregory's classification).

A Case of Verruciform Xanthoma Arising in the Tongue.

Verruciform Xanthoma (VX) is a rare lesion of the oral cavity. Histologically, it is characterized by papillary or verrucous proliferation of squamous epithelium and numerous foam cells. VX arising in the tongue is comparatively rare, as most cases of VX in oral cavity occur in gingiva.

Downregulation of midkine induces cisplatin resistance in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The presence of drug-resistant cancer cells has been associated with poor clinical outcomes. Cisplatin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents commonly used for several malignancies including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although cisplatin resistance is a major obstacle in cancer treatment, mechanisms by which it develops are not well understood.

Usefulness of myofascial flap without skin in contemporary oral and maxillofacial reconstruction.

Purpose: Pedicle myofascial graft should be considered in contemporary oral and maxillofacial reconstruction for the following reasons: 1) the pedicle myofascial unit is reliable and easily handled; 2) on the grafted myofascia in the oral cavity, the mucosa regenerates naturally with regard to suppleness and surface characteristics; and 3) vascularized myofascial coverage of tissues or materials is useful in some clinical situations. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of this graft material.

Patients And Methods: Using myofascial flaps from the pectoralis major muscle in 15 patients and from the platysma muscle in 11 patients, several types of reconstructive procedures were conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Wakayama Medical University.

Expression of ADAMTS-5 in deformed human temporomandibular joint discs.

Objective: To study the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5) in tissue samples of deformed human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs and cells obtained from the discs.

Materials And Methods: Eleven adult human TMJ discs (nine diseased discs and two normal discs) were used in this study. The nine diseased discs were obtained from nine patients with internal derangement (ID) and osteoarthritis (OA) in the TMJ.

EGFR inhibitor enhances cisplatin sensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is involved in multiple aspects of cancer cell biology. EGFR has already been identified as an important target for cancer therapy, with various kinds of EGFR inhibitors currently used in treatment of several human cancers. Recently, EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways were identified as being associated with cisplatin sensitivity.

Immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and p-EGFR in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a tyrosine kinase receptor of the ErbB family, which is expressed or highly expressed in a variety of solid tumors, including oral cancers. High EGFR expression has been correlated with tumor size, metastasis and survival. In recent years, EGFR has been considered a promising target for monoclonal antibody therapy.