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Uppal S, Kumar Shrivastava P, Khan A, Sharma A, Kumar Shrivastav A. Machine learning methods in predicting the risk of malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders: A systematic review. Int J Med Inform 2024; 186:105421. [PMID: 38552265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs) refer to a heterogenous group of clinical presentations with heightened rate of malignant transformation. Identification of risk levels in OPMDs is crucial to determine the need for active intervention in high-risk patients and routine follow-up in low-risk ones. Machine learning models has shown tremendous potential in several areas of dentistry that strongly suggest its application to estimate rate of malignant transformation of precancerous lesions. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was performed on Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library database to identify articles including machine learning models and algorithms to predict malignant transformation in OPMDs. Relevant bibliographic data, study characteristics, and outcomes were extracted for eligible studies. Quality of the included studies was assessed through the IJMEDI checklist. RESULTS Fifteen articles were found suitable for the review as per the PECOS criteria. Amongst all studies, highest sensitivity (100%) was recorded for U-net architecture, Peaks Random forest model, and Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA). Highest specificity (100%) was noted for PLSDA. Range of overall accuracy in risk prediction was between 95.4% and 74%. CONCLUSION Machine learning proved to be a viable tool in risk prediction, demonstrating heightened sensitivity, automation, and improved accuracy for predicting transformation of OPMDs. It presents an effective approach for incorporating multiple variables to monitor the progression of OPMDs and predict their malignant potential. However, its sensitivity to dataset characteristics necessitates the optimization of input parameters to maximize the efficiency of the classifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Uppal
- Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
| | | | - Atiya Khan
- Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
| | - Aditi Sharma
- Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
| | - Ayush Kumar Shrivastav
- Computer Science and Engineering, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Flores-Hidalgo A, Phero J, Steward-Tharp S, Williamson M, Paquette D, Krishnan D, Padilla R. Immunophenotypic and Gene Expression Analyses of the Inflammatory Microenvironment in High-Grade Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Lichen Planus. Head Neck Pathol 2024; 18:17. [PMID: 38456941 PMCID: PMC10923754 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-024-01624-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) present diagnostic challenges due to clinical and histologic overlap. This study explores the immune microenvironment in OED, hypothesizing that immune signatures could aid in diagnostic differentiation and predict malignant transformation. METHODS Tissue samples from OED and OLP cases were analyzed using immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry (IF/IHC) for CD4, CD8, CD163/STAT1, and PD-1/PDL-1 expression. RNA-sequencing was performed on the samples, and data was subjected to CIBERSORTx analysis for immune cell composition. Gene Ontology analysis on the immune differentially expressed genes was also conducted. RESULTS In OED, CD8 + T-cells infiltrated dysplastic epithelium, correlating with dysplasia severity. CD4 + lymphocytes increased in the basal layer. STAT1/CD163 + macrophages correlated with CD4 + intraepithelial distribution. PD-1/PDL-1 expression varied. IF/IHC analysis revealed differential immune cell composition between OED and OLP. RNA-sequencing identified upregulated genes associated with cytotoxic response and immunosurveillance in OED. Downregulated genes were linked to signaling, immune cell recruitment, and tumor suppression. CONCLUSIONS The immune microenvironment distinguishes OED and OLP, suggesting diagnostic potential. Upregulated genes indicate cytotoxic immune response in OED. Downregulation of TRADD, CX3CL1, and ILI24 implies dysregulation in TNFR1 signaling, immune recruitment, and tumor suppression. This study contributes to the foundation for understanding immune interactions in OED and OLP, offering insights into future objective diagnostic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Flores-Hidalgo
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - James Phero
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Scott Steward-Tharp
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Megumi Williamson
- Department of Surgical Sciences, East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, Greenville, USA
| | - David Paquette
- Department of Surgical Sciences, East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, Greenville, USA
| | - Deepak Krishnan
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ricardo Padilla
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, USA
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Kabbashi S, Roomaney IA, Chetty M. Bridging the gap between omics research and dental practice. BDJ Open 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38438363 PMCID: PMC10912736 DOI: 10.1038/s41405-024-00199-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
AIM The burgeoning field of omics research has witnessed exponential growth in both medicine and dentistry. However, despite more than a decade of advancements, clinical dentistry, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), has seen limited progress in integrating omics-based approaches into routine practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the integration of omics approaches in dentistry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for translating research findings into clinical practice. METHODS we conducted a literature review using key databases to provide a brief overview of the history of genomics in dentistry. Additionally, we summarised recent breakthroughs in omics relevant to oral health practitioners, emphasising the inadequate translation of omics research into clinical practice. RESULTS Despite significant growth in omics research in both medicine and dentistry, its translation into routine clinical practice in dentistry remains limited. We summarise recent breakthroughs in omics and highlight the gap between research advancements and clinical implementation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The integration of omics approaches holds promise for enhancing diagnostics, personalised treatment strategies, and preventive measures in dental practice, ushering in a new era of precision oral healthcare. However, several challenges, including infrastructure limitations, cost-effectiveness, and education gaps, hinder the widespread adoption of omics-based approaches in clinical dentistry. A strong commitment to transforming dentistry is required to embrace this transition. This shift has the potential to revolutionise oral healthcare by advancing precision diagnostics and treatment strategies tailored to individual patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kabbashi
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology, and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - I A Roomaney
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology, and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M Chetty
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, Pathology, and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Adeoye J, Su YX. Leveraging artificial intelligence for perioperative cancer risk assessment of oral potentially malignant disorders. Int J Surg 2024; 110:1677-1686. [PMID: 38051932 PMCID: PMC10942172 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000000979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are mucosal conditions with an inherent disposition to develop oral squamous cell carcinoma. Surgical management is the most preferred strategy to prevent malignant transformation in OPMDs, and surgical approaches to treatment include conventional scalpel excision, laser surgery, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. However, in reality, since all patients with OPMDs will not develop oral squamous cell carcinoma in their lifetime, there is a need to stratify patients according to their risk of malignant transformation to streamline surgical intervention for patients with the highest risks. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to integrate disparate factors influencing malignant transformation for robust, precise, and personalized cancer risk stratification of OPMD patients than current methods to determine the need for surgical resection, excision, or re-excision. Therefore, this article overviews existing AI models and tools, presents a clinical implementation pathway, and discusses necessary refinements to aid the clinical application of AI-based platforms for cancer risk stratification of OPMDs in surgical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu-Xiong Su
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
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5
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Elnaggar M, Chaisuparat R, Ghita I, Bentzen SM, Dyalram D, Ord RA, Lubek JE, Younis RH. Immuno-oncologic signature of malignant transformation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2023; 136:612-622. [PMID: 37739913 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2023.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to identify the immuno-oncologic (IO) signature at the surgical tumor margin (TM) of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) that is involved in the process of malignant transformation. STUDY DESIGN Under institutional review board approval, TM of 73 OSCC were investigated using immunohistochemistry for the immune biomarker, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). NanoString 770 IO-focused gene set was analyzed in 5 pairs of TM and invasive tumor (T). PD-L1 regulation in response to interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was investigated in an oral potentially malignant cell line (OPMC). RESULTS Programmed death ligand-1 expression in the epithelial margin directly correlated with its expression in the underlying immune cells (P = .0082). Differential gene expression showed downregulation of PD-L1 and IFN-γ 6 gene signature in the TM relative to T pair.CD8 and macrophages were higher in TM. CNTFR, LYZ, C7, RORC, and FGF13 downregulation in T relative to TM. TDO2, ADAM12, MMP1, LAMC2, MB21D1, TYMP, OASL, COL5A1, exhausted_CD8, Tregs,and NK_CD56dim were upregulated in T relative to TM. Finally, IFN-γ induced upregulation of PD-L1 in the OPMC. CONCLUSIONS Our work suggests a role for IFN-γ in PD-L1 upregulation in OPMC and presents novel IO transcriptional signatures for frankly invasive OSCC relative to TM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manar Elnaggar
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, El Alamein, Egypt
| | - Risa Chaisuparat
- Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ioana Ghita
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Soren M Bentzen
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Biostatistics Core, Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA; Biostatistics Division, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Donita Dyalram
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA; Head and Neck Surgery Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Ord
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA; Head and Neck Surgery Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua E Lubek
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA; Head and Neck Surgery Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rania H Younis
- Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Division of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, UMB, Maryland, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Liu Y, Huang N, Qiao X, Gu Z, Wu Y, Li J, Wu C, Li B, Li L. Knockdown of PGC1α suppresses dysplastic oral keratinocytes proliferation through reprogramming energy metabolism. Int J Oral Sci 2023; 15:37. [PMID: 37661238 PMCID: PMC10475463 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-023-00242-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are precursors of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Deregulated cellular energy metabolism is a critical hallmark of cancer cells. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC1α) plays vital role in mitochondrial energy metabolism. However, the molecular mechanism of PGC1α on OPMDs progression is less unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of knockdown PGC1α on human dysplastic oral keratinocytes (DOKs) comprehensively, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, xenograft tumor, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes (ETC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxygen consumption rate (OCR), extracellular acidification rate (ECAR), and glucose uptake. We found that knockdown PGC1α significantly inhibited the proliferation of DOKs in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, induced S-phase arrest, and suppressed PI3K/Akt signaling pathway without affecting cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, downregulated of PGC1α decreased mtDNA, ETC, and OCR, while enhancing ROS, glucose uptake, ECAR, and glycolysis by regulating lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA). Moreover, SR18292 (an inhibitor of PGC1α) induced oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction of DOKs and declined DOK xenograft tumor progression. Thus, our work suggests that PGC1α plays a crucial role in cell proliferation by reprograming energy metabolism and interfering with energy metabolism, acting as a potential therapeutic target for OPMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunkun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Nengwen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianghe Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiyu Gu
- Department of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Hospital of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yongzhi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinjin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengzhou Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Orthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Longjiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Cai X, Li L, Yu F, Guo R, Zhou X, Zhang F, Zhang H, Zhang J, Li T. Development of a Pathomics-Based Model for the Prediction of Malignant Transformation in Oral Leukoplakia. J Transl Med 2023; 103:100173. [PMID: 37164265 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2023.100173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate prognostic stratification of oral leukoplakia (OLK) with risk of malignant transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma is crucial. We developed an objective and powerful pathomics-based model for the prediction of malignant transformation in OLK using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained images. In total, 759 H&E-stained images from multicenter cohorts were included. A training set (n = 489), validation set (n = 196), and testing set (n = 74) were used for model development. Four deep learning methods were used to train and validate the model constructed using H&E-stained images. Pathomics features generated through deep learning combined with machine learning algorithms were used to develop a pathomics-based model. Immunohistochemical staining of Ki67, p53, and PD-L1 was used to interpret the black box of the model. Pathomics-based models predicted the malignant transformation of OLK (validation set area under curve [AUC], 0.899; testing set AUC, 0.813) and significantly identified high-risk and low-risk populations. The prediction performance of malignant transformation from dysplasia grading (validation set AUC, 0.743) was lower than that of the pathomics-based model. The expressions of Ki67, p53, and PD-L1 were correlated with various pathomics features. The pathomics-based model accurately predicted the malignant transformation of OLK and may be useful for the objective and rapid assessment of the prognosis of patients with OLK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjia Cai
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, China; Research Unit of Precision Pathologic Diagnosis in Tumors of the Oral and Maxillofacial Regions, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Long Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feiyan Yu
- Department of Oral Medicine, Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rongrong Guo
- Department of Oral Medicine, Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Oral Medicine, Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Prevention and New Materials, Shanxi Medical University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Heyu Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, China; Research Unit of Precision Pathologic Diagnosis in Tumors of the Oral and Maxillofacial Regions, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Tiejun Li
- Department of Oral Pathology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, China; Research Unit of Precision Pathologic Diagnosis in Tumors of the Oral and Maxillofacial Regions, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Wolk R, Lingen MW. Proceedings of the North American Society of Head and Neck Pathology Companion Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 12, 2023: Oral Cavity Dysplasia: Why Does Histologic Grading Continue to be Contentious? Head Neck Pathol 2023; 17:292-298. [PMID: 37184731 PMCID: PMC10293486 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-023-01544-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the world's 6th most common malignancy. Oral cavity SCC (OCSCC) represents approximately one third of the HNSCC cases diagnosed annually in the United States. Despite therapeutic advances, OCSCC is frequently lethal, with a modest 5-year survival. Because OCSCC is often preceded by premalignant lesions, it is an ideal disease for screening initiatives. The conventional visual and tactile exam (CVTE), coupled with a tissue biopsy, remains the gold standard. However, CVTE alone cannot reliably differentiate between reactive/inflammatory and dysplastic lesions. Further, the histologic diagnosis of dysplasia is subjective in nature and a highly imperfect predictor of malignant transformation. This prognostic uncertainty creates a significant clinical management dilemma-watchful waiting with increased patient psychological and economic burdens versus unnecessary aggressive treatment. As such, the development and validation of novel diagnostic platforms such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and prognostic molecular biomarkers may help address these critical unmet clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle Wolk
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 6101, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Mark W Lingen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 6101, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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Starska-Kowarska K. The Role of Different Immunocompetent Cell Populations in the Pathogenesis of Head and Neck Cancer-Regulatory Mechanisms of Pro- and Anti-Cancer Activity and Their Impact on Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1642. [PMID: 36980527 PMCID: PMC10046400 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most aggressive and heterogeneous groups of human neoplasms. HNSCC is characterized by high morbidity, accounting for 3% of all cancers, and high mortality with ~1.5% of all cancer deaths. It was the most common cancer worldwide in 2020, according to the latest GLOBOCAN data, representing the seventh most prevalent human malignancy. Despite great advances in surgical techniques and the application of modern combinations and cytotoxic therapies, HNSCC remains a leading cause of death worldwide with a low overall survival rate not exceeding 40-60% of the patient population. The most common causes of death in patients are its frequent nodal metastases and local neoplastic recurrences, as well as the relatively low response to treatment and severe drug resistance. Much evidence suggests that the tumour microenvironment (TME), tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and circulating various subpopulations of immunocompetent cells, such regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs), cytotoxic CD3+CD8+ T cells (CTLs) and CD3+CD4+ T helper type 1/2/9/17 (Th1/Th2/Th9/Th17) lymphocytes, T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and CD56dim/CD16bright activated natural killer cells (NK), carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumour-associated neutrophils (N1/N2 TANs), as well as tumour-associated macrophages (M1/M2 phenotype TAMs) can affect initiation, progression and spread of HNSCC and determine the response to immunotherapy. Rapid advances in the field of immuno-oncology and the constantly growing knowledge of the immunosuppressive mechanisms and effects of tumour cancer have allowed for the use of effective and personalized immunotherapy as a first-line therapeutic procedure or an essential component of a combination therapy for primary, relapsed and metastatic HNSCC. This review presents the latest reports and molecular studies regarding the anti-tumour role of selected subpopulations of immunocompetent cells in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, including HPV+ve (HPV+) and HPV-ve (HPV-) tumours. The article focuses on the crucial regulatory mechanisms of pro- and anti-tumour activity, key genetic or epigenetic changes that favour tumour immune escape, and the strategies that the tumour employs to avoid recognition by immunocompetent cells, as well as resistance mechanisms to T and NK cell-based immunotherapy in HNSCC. The present review also provides an overview of the pre- and clinical early trials (I/II phase) and phase-III clinical trials published in this arena, which highlight the unprecedented effectiveness and limitations of immunotherapy in HNSCC, and the emerging issues facing the field of HNSCC immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Starska-Kowarska
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; ; Tel.: +48-604-541-412
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, EnelMed Center Expert, Drewnowska 58, 91-001 Lodz, Poland
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10
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Zhang T, Kutler D, Scognamiglio T, Gudas LJ, Tang XH. Transcriptomic analysis predicts the risk of progression of premalignant lesions in human tongue. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:24. [PMID: 36820942 PMCID: PMC9950315 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00629-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5-year survival rate for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), including tongue SCC, has not significantly improved over the last several decades. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), including oral dysplasias, are oral epithelial disorders that can develop into oral SCCs. To identify molecular characteristics that might predict conversion of OPMDs to SCCs and guide treatment plans, we performed global transcriptomic analysis of human tongue OPMD (n = 9) and tongue SCC (n = 11) samples with paired normal margin tissue from patients treated at Weill Cornell Medicine. Compared to margin tissue, SCCs showed more transcript changes than OPMDs. OPMDs and SCCs shared some altered transcripts, but these changes were generally greater in SCCs than OPMDs. Both OPMDs and SCCs showed altered signaling pathways related to cell migration, basement membrane disruption, and metastasis. We suggest that OPMDs are on the path toward malignant transformation. Based on patterns of gene expression, both OPMD and tongue SCC samples can be categorized into subclasses (mesenchymal, classical, basal, and atypical) similar to those seen in human head and neck SCC (HNSCC). These subclasses of OPMDs have the potential to be used to stratify patient prognoses and therapeutic options for tongue OPMDs. Lastly, we identified a gene set (ELF5; RPTN; IGSF10; CRMP1; HTR3A) whose transcript changes have the power to classify OPMDs and SCCs and developed a Firth logistic regression model using the changes in these transcripts relative to paired normal tissue to validate pathological diagnosis and potentially predict the likelihood of an OPMD developing into SCC, as data sets become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Zhang
- Genomics Resources Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - David Kutler
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Theresa Scognamiglio
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Lorraine J Gudas
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Xiao-Han Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Gan CP, Lee BKB, Lau SH, Kallarakkal TG, Zaini ZM, Lye BKW, Zain RB, Sathasivam HP, Yeong JPS, Savelyeva N, Thomas G, Ottensmeier CH, Ariffin H, Cheong SC, Lim KP. Transcriptional analysis highlights three distinct immune profiles of high-risk oral epithelial dysplasia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954567. [PMID: 36119104 PMCID: PMC9479061 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) are precursors of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and the presence of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) in OPMD confers an increased risk of malignant transformation. Emerging evidence has indicated a role for the immune system in OPMD disease progression; however, the underlying immune mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we used immune signatures established from cancer to delineate the immune profiles of moderate and severe OED, which are considered high-risk OPMD. We demonstrated that moderate and severe OEDs exhibit high lymphocyte infiltration and upregulation of genes involved in both immune surveillance (major histocompatibility complex-I, T cells, B cells and cytolytic activity) and immune suppression (immune checkpoints, T regulatory cells, and tumor-associated macrophages). Notably, we identified three distinct subtypes of moderate and severe OED: immune cytotoxic, non-cytotoxic and non-immune reactive. Active immune surveillance is present in the immune cytotoxic subtype, whereas the non-cytotoxic subtype lacks CD8 immune cytotoxic response. The non-immune reactive subtype showed upregulation of genes involved in the stromal microenvironment and cell cycle. The lack of T cell infiltration and activation in the non-immune reactive subtype is due to the dysregulation of CTNNB1, PTEN and JAK2. This work suggests that moderate and severe OED that harbor the non-cytotoxic or non-immune reactive subtype are likely to progress to cancer. Overall, we showed that distinct immune responses are present in high-risk OPMD, and revealed targetable pathways that could lead to potential new approaches for non-surgical management of OED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chai Phei Gan
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Bernard Kok Bang Lee
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Shin Hin Lau
- Cancer Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Thomas George Kallarakkal
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Center, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zuraiza Mohamad Zaini
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Bryan Kit Weng Lye
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Rosnah Binti Zain
- Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Center, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Faculty of Dentistry, Malaysian Allied Health Sciences Academy (MAHSA) University, Jenjarom, Malaysia
| | - Hans Prakash Sathasivam
- Cancer Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Joe Poh Sheng Yeong
- Integrative Biology for Theranostics, Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Natalia Savelyeva
- Head and Neck Center, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Thomas
- Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Christian H. Ottensmeier
- Head and Neck Center, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Hany Ariffin
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sok Ching Cheong
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kue Peng Lim
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Cancer Research Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
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12
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Microenvironment in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: Multi-Dimensional Characteristics and Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168940. [PMID: 36012205 PMCID: PMC9409092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are a group of diseases involving the oral mucosa and that have a risk of carcinogenesis. The microenvironment is closely related to carcinogenesis and cancer progression by regulating the immune response, cell metabolic activities, and mechanical characteristics. Meanwhile, there are extensive interactions between the microenvironments that remodel and provide favorable conditions for cancer initiation. However, the changes, exact roles, and interactions of microenvironments during the carcinogenesis of OPMDs have not been fully elucidated. Here, we present an updated landscape of the microenvironments in OPMDs, emphasizing the changes in the immune microenvironment, metabolic microenvironment, mechanical microenvironment, and neural microenvironment during carcinogenesis and their carcinogenic mechanisms. We then propose an immuno–metabolic–mechanical–neural interaction network to describe their close relationships. Lastly, we summarize the therapeutic strategies for targeting microenvironments, and provide an outlook on future research directions and clinical applications. This review depicts a vivid microenvironment landscape and sheds light on new strategies to prevent the carcinogenesis of OPMDs.
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13
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Molecular Signatures of Tumour and Its Microenvironment for Precise Quantitative Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An International Multi-Cohort Diagnostic Validation Study. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061389. [PMID: 35326543 PMCID: PMC8945999 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterogeneity in oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) poses a problem for accurate prognosis that impacts on treatment strategy and patient outcome. A holistic assessment based on gene expression signatures from both the tumour cells and their microenvironment is necessary to provide a more precise prognostic assessment than just tumour cell signatures alone. METHODS We reformulated our previously established multigene qPCR test, quantitative Malignancy Index Diagnostic System (qMIDS) with new genes involved in matrix/stroma and immune modulation of the tumour microenvironment. An algorithm calculates and converts a panel of 16 gene mRNA expression levels into a qMIDS index to quantify risk of malignancy for each sample. RESULTS The new qMIDSV2 assay was validated in a UK oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cohort (n = 282) of margin and tumour core samples demonstrating significantly better diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.945) compared to previous qMIDSV1 (AUC = 0.759). Performance of qMIDSV2 were independently validated in Chinese (n = 35; AUC = 0.928) and Indian (n = 95; AUC = 0.932) OSCC cohorts. Further, 5-year retrospective analysis on an Indian dysplastic lesion cohort (n = 30) showed that qMIDSV2 was able to significantly differentiate between lesions without transformation and those with malignant transformation. CONCLUSIONS This study validated a novel multi-gene qPCR test on a total of 535 tissue specimens from UK, China and India, demonstrating a rapid minimally invasive method that has a potential application for dysplasia risk stratification. Further study is required to establish if qMIDSV2 could be used to improve OPMD patient management, guide treatment strategy and reduce oral cancer burden.
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14
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Rangel R, Pickering CR, Sikora AG, Spiotto MT. Genetic Changes Driving Immunosuppressive Microenvironments in Oral Premalignancy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:840923. [PMID: 35154165 PMCID: PMC8829003 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.840923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral premalignant lesions (OPLs) are the precursors to oral cavity cancers, and have variable rates of progression to invasive disease. As an intermediate state, OPLs have acquired a subset of the genomic alterations while arising in an oral inflammatory environment. These specific genomic changes may facilitate the transition to an immune microenvironment that permits malignant transformation. Here, we will discuss mechanisms by which OPLs develop an immunosuppressive microenvironment that facilitates progression to invasive cancer. We will describe how genomic alterations and immune microenvironmental changes co-evolve and cooperate to promote OSCC progression. Finally, we will describe how these immune microenvironmental changes provide specific and unique evolutionary vulnerabilities for targeted therapies. Therefore, understanding the genomic changes that drive immunosuppressive microenvironments may eventually translate into novel biomarker and/or therapeutic approaches to limit the progression of OPLs to potential lethal oral cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Rangel
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Curtis R. Pickering
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Andrew G. Sikora
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michael T. Spiotto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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15
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Sathasivam HP, Sloan P, Thomson PJ, Robinson M. The clinical utility of contemporary oral epithelial dysplasia grading systems. J Oral Pathol Med 2021; 51:180-187. [PMID: 34797585 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical management of oral potentially malignant disorders relies on accurate histopathological assessment of the presence and grade of oral epithelial dysplasia. Whilst adjunctive laboratory tests have provided useful prognostic information, none are in widespread clinical use. This study was performed to assess the clinical utility of two contemporary oral epithelial dysplasia grading systems. METHODS Patients were identified from a clinical database. Oral epithelial dysplasia grading was performed by three oral and maxillofacial pathologists blinded to clinical outcome using the WHO 2017 system and a binary classification. The primary outcome measure was the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma, termed 'malignant transformation'. RESULTS 131 cases satisfied the inclusion criteria, of which 23 underwent malignant transformation. There was substantial inter-rater agreement between the study pathologists for both grading systems, measured using kappa statistics (κ = 0.753-0.784). However, there was only moderate agreement between the consensus WHO 2017 dysplasia grade for the study against the original grade assigned by a pool of six pathologists in the context of the clinical service (κ = 0.491). Higher grade categories correlated with an increased risk of developing cancer using both grading systems. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that the WHO 2017 and binary grading systems are reproducible between calibrated pathologists and that consensus reporting is likely to improve the consistency of grading. The WHO and binary systems were prognostically comparable. We recommend that institutions implement consensus oral epithelial dysplasia grading and prospectively audit the effectiveness of risk stratifying their patients with oral potentially malignant disorders. (249 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Prakash Sathasivam
- School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Cancer Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Setia Alam, Malaysia
| | - Philip Sloan
- School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Cellular Pathology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,AMLo Biosciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Peter J Thomson
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Max Robinson
- School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Cellular Pathology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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16
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The upregulation of oncogenic miRNAs in swabbed samples obtained from oral premalignant and malignant lesions. Clin Oral Investig 2021; 26:1343-1351. [PMID: 34342761 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-021-04108-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Oncogenic miRNAs upregulated in OSCC play a range of versatile roles in oral carcinogenesis. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are the antecedent lesions to oral squamous carcinoma (OSCC) and they require a definitive diagnosis and early intervention. This study hypothesizes the presence of aberrant oncogenic miRNA expression in swabbed oral lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of miR-21, miR-31, miR-134, miR-146a, and miR-211 in swabbed samples from 36 dysplastic or hyperplastic OPMDs and 10 OSCCs, relative to respective normal mucosa within the same patient, is analyzed with qRT-PCR to develop a diagnosis. RESULTS Upregulation of all tested miRNAs in OPMD and OSCC samples comparing to controls is found to have occurred. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis shows that miR-31 gives the best diagnostic accuracy of 0.91 when differentiating OPMD/OSCC from controls. An analysis of miR-134 and miR-211 expression allows the discrimination of the dysplastic state associated with OPMD, while the use of expression of the combined miRNAs further improves the analytical performances when identifying the dysplastic state. The concordant upregulation of miR-21, miR-31, and miR-146a is found to occur during an early stage of OSCC carcinogenesis. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the upregulation of multiple oncogenic miRNAs in swabbed OPMD and OSCC samples. miRNA expression in swabbed collectives enables the differentiation between normal mucosa and OPMD/OSCC, independent of their histopathological severity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This conventional and convenient sampling tool, when coupled with an assessment of miR-31 expression, would seem to be an adjuvant approach to the diagnosis of OPMD and OSCC.
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