Recurrent Spindle Cell Carcinoma Shows Features of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

This study investigated a case of spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) in tongue pathological lesions. The patient experienced a local recurrence and distant metastasis after surgical intervention. Although standard chemotherapy was administered, a granulomatous mass continued to develop. This aggressive growth led to survival of the tumor. Secondary debulking surgery was performed to improve the patient's quality of life at the request of the patient. Using a tissue sample derived from the secondary debulking surgery, we performed an analysis of the tumor's cell surface antigens, differentiation potential, metastatic ability, and inhibition potential by anticancer reagents. In vitro analysis revealed that the cell population grown under adherent culture conditions expressed the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers CD73, CD90, and CD105. The cell line established from this SpCC contained colony-forming unit fibroblasts (CFU-Fs) and exhibited multipotent differentiation into several mesenchymal lineages, including bone, cartilage, and fat. The SpCC cells also displayed vigorous mobilization. These characteristics suggested that they had the differentiation potential of mesenchymal cells, especially MSCs, rather than that of epithelial cells. The surgical specimen analyzed in this study resisted the molecular target reagent cetuximab, which is an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor. This clinical insight revealed that chemotherapy-resistant SpCC cells have different characteristics compared to most other cancer cells, which are sensitive to cetuximab. Our cell death assay revealed that SpCC cell death was induced by the anticancer drug imatinib, which is known to inhibit protein tyrosine kinase activity of ABL, platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα), and KIT. Here, we report recurrent SpCC with characteristics of MSCs and potential for treatment with imatinib.

Systematic review and recommendations for nonodontogenic toothache

Nonodontogenic toothache is a painful condition that occurs in the absence of a clinically evident cause in the teeth or periodontal tissues. The purpose of this review is to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and the quality of dental treatment regarding nonodontogenic toothache. Electronic databases were searched to gather scientific evidence regarding related primary disorders and the management of nonodontogenic toothache. We evaluated the level of available evidence in scientific literature. There are a number of possible causes of nonodontogenic toothache and they should be treated. Nonodontogenic toothache can be categorised into eight groups according to primary disorders as follows: 1) myofascial pain referred to tooth/teeth, 2) neuropathic toothache, 3) idiopathic toothache, 4) neurovascular toothache, 5) sinus pain referred to tooth/teeth, 6) cardiac pain referred to tooth/teeth, 7) psychogenic toothache or toothache of psychosocial origin and 8) toothache caused by various other disorders. We concluded that unnecessary dental treatment should be avoided.

Inhibitory or scavenging action of ketoconazole and ciclopiroxolamine against reactive oxygen species released by primed inflammatory cells

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from inflammatory cells constitute one of the critical causative factors in inflammatory skin diseases such as seborrhoeic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate inhibitory effects of ketoconazole (KCZ) and ciclopiroxolamine (CPO), both of which have been used for the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis, on ROS released from inflammatory cells.

METHODS

The methyl-Cypridina-luciferin analogue-dependent chemiluminescence method was employed for the detection of ROS production by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated inflammatory cells. Moreover, the radical scavenging activities of both agents were examined by using a hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system and the stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). NADPH oxidase activity was determined in particulate (membrane) fractions prepared from PMA-stimulated RAW 264 x 7 cells, a macrophage-like cell line.

RESULTS

Both of these antifungal agents inhibited PMA-stimulated ROS production. However, only CPO significantly scavenged both ROS generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system and DPPH, and the scavenging activity of CPO seemed to act on ROS other than superoxide anions. Although KCZ inhibited PMA-stimulated ROS production, it did not show radical-scavenging activities. The inhibition of ROS production by KCZ is probably attributable to the inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism of the inhibitory action of KCZ against PMA-stimulated ROS production is distinct from that of CPO. Knowledge of the inhibitory or scavenging effects of both antifungal agents on ROS released from inflammatory cells may be useful in developing a therapeutic strategy for dermatitis.