Autophagy analysis in oral carcinogenesis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of autophagy in oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma and to correlate with clinical pathological features, as well as, the evolution of these lesions.

Methodology: 7 Normal oral mucosa, 51 oral leukoplakias, and 120 oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) were included in the study. Histological sections of the mucosa and leukoplakias were evaluated throughout their length, while the carcinomas were evaluated using Tissue Microarray.

Beta-catenin and survivin expression in keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). A comparative immunohistochemical study in primary, recurrent and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS)-associated lesions.

Aim: To determine the epithelial expression of β-catenin and survivin in sporadic (primary, and recurrent) and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) in order to assess activation of the β-catenin pathway and evidence of apoptotic inhibition, processes that may contribute to the known differences in their biological behaviour.

Materials And Methods: Sections from 40 cases of KCOT (19 sporadic/primary; 9 sporadic/recurrent and 12 NBCCS-associated) were immunohistochemically stained for β-catenin and survivin. The extent and intensity of immunoreactivity within the lining epithelium was assessed, using semi-quantitative scales, independently by two pathologists who were blinded to the clinical-pathological data.

MMP-13 expression in keratocyst odontogenic tumour associated with NBCCS and sporadic keratocysts.

Objective: To investigate the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 expression in associated and non-nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) Odontogenic Keratocysts (OCKs) in order to contribute to a better understanding of the differences in the growth pattern between them.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-nine paraffin-embedded blocks of OCKs, 26 sporadic OCKs and 11 NBCCS-associated KCOTs were studied by immunohistochemistry to evaluate MMP-13 expression both in epithelial and stromal layers. A semi-quantitative scale was used to evaluate immunostaining.