SOCS3, a suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, is known as a negative regulator of various cytokines and a tumor suppressor gene in human tumors. This study aimed to investigate the role of SOCS3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its impact on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OSCC cells. Although SOCS3 is recognized as a negative regulator of various cytokines and a tumor suppressor gene in human tumors, its specific effects on OSCC remain poorly understood. For the assessment of SOCS3 expression in OSCC, the UALCAN website and TCGA data were used to evaluate its expression in head and neck cancer. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to determine the SOCS3 expression specifically in OSCC. The findings indicated a significant decrease in SOCS3 expression in tumor tissue compared to that in normal tissues. To investigate the enhancement of SOCS3 expression in OSCC cancer cell lines, IL6 treatment was administered to MC3 cells. However, no significant differences were observed in cell viability, wound healing assay, and invasion assay. Conversely, the transfection of SOCS3 siRNA into OSCC cells led to a notable increase in cell viability and statistically significant increases in wound healing and invasion assays. These results suggest that SOCS3 plays a crucial role in cell viability and EMT in OSCC, thereby contributing to oral carcinogenesis. Further research is necessary to elucidate the precise role of SOCS3 in OSCC.

Worldwide, oral cancer accounts for 2%–4% of all cancer cases. It is estimated that more of 90% of all oral neoplasms are oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aims of this study were to evaluate follow-up outcomes in patients with OSCC invading the mandibular body bone who underwent primary radical resection and reconstructive surgery by fibular free flap or CAD-CAM T-mesh with pathological study on two cases. In this article, two cases of mandibular reconstruction in patients with OSCC invading the mandibular body bone are reported. A 68-year-old male patient visited the authors’ clinic with pain on the left mandibular region. After wide excision and segmental mandibulectomy on the mandibular OSCC, a enterocutaneous fibular free flap from right leg was used to cover the intraoral mucosal defect. The other 51-year-old female patient visited the authors’ clinic with pain on the right mandibular region. After wide excision and segmental mandibulectomy on the mandibular OSCC, reconstruction was done with a reconstruction plate and a fibula free flap from right leg. Unfortunately, fibular free flap was lost due to infection of the flap at post-operative 1month, secondary reconstruction using a custom-made type T-mesh and iliac PCBM was done to repair on the mandibular defect after four years postoperatively. The customized CAD-CAM T-mesh was made prior to the operation according to mirror image of remained jaw. Patients with OSCC invading the mandibular body bone are required an accurate segmental mandibulectomy immediate reconstructive surgery with various methods and followed by adjuvant radiation with or without chemotherapy in order to improve the quality of life through the restoration of the oral function and esthetics after surgery. Postoperative CCRT was determined according to the final pathologic findings such as lymph node metastasis and main lesion free margin safety, and this has an essential relationship in the prognosis of postoperative recurrence. We reviewed reliable treatment options on two patients of OSCC in mandible with pathologic findings.Worldwide, oral cancer accounts for 2%–4% of all cancer cases. It is estimated that more of 90% of all oral neoplasms are oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aims of this study were to evaluate follow-up outcomes in patients with OSCC invading the mandibular body bone who underwent primary radical resection and reconstructive surgery by fibular free flap or CAD-CAM T-mesh with pathological study on two cases. In this article, two cases of mandibular reconstruction in patients with OSCC invading the mandibular body bone are reported. A 68-year-old male patient visited the authors’ clinic with pain on the left mandibular region. After wide excision and segmental mandibulectomy on the mandibular OSCC, a enterocutaneous fibular free flap from right leg was used to cover the intraoral mucosal defect. The other 51-year-old female patient visited the authors’ clinic with pain on the right mandibular region. After wide excision and segmental mandibulectomy on the mandibular OSCC, reconstruction was done with a reconstruction plate and a fibula free flap from right leg. Unfortunately, fibular free flap was lost due to infection of the flap at post-operative 1month, secondary reconstruction using a custom-made type T-mesh and iliac PCBM was done to repair on the mandibular defect after four years postoperatively. The customized CAD-CAM T-mesh was made prior to the operation according to mirror image of remained jaw. Patients with OSCC invading the mandibular body bone are required an accurate segmental mandibulectomy immediate reconstructive surgery with various methods and followed by adjuvant radiation with or without chemotherapy in order to improve the quality of life through the restoration of the oral function and esthetics after surgery. Postoperative CCRT was determined according to the final pathologic findings such as lymph node metastasis and main lesion free margin safety, and this has an essential relationship in the prognosis of postoperative recurrence. We reviewed reliable treatment options on two patients of OSCC in mandible with pathologic findings.

Human melatonin receptors consist of melatonin receptor 1A (MT1) and melatonin receptor 1B (MT2), and possess various biological activations, which include the control of circadian rhythm and immune regulation. Recently, it have been found that melatonin receptors inhibit cell proliferation and have oncostatic properties, which is being researched in the treatment strategies of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Also, interest in the effect of melatonin receptor’s correlation to head and neck carcinogenesis and application possibilities on head and neck cancer has been found. However, in head and neck cancer, how melatonin receptor relates and functions with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays a major role in human carcinogenesis, is yet unknown. In this research, in HSC5 cell and YD15 cell, the head and neck cancer cell lines, a selective melatonin receptor antagonist, Luzindole, was utilized to examine the effect of melatonin receptors on EMT. After treating Luzindole on HSC5 cells and YD15 cells, the authors evaluated cell viability rate with CCK 8 assay, and performing colony forming assay, invasion assay and western blot analysis, to confirm melatonin receptor’s effect on EMT. When Luzindole was treated on HSC5 cells and YD15 cells in low concentration of 100nM, no significant difference in cell viability was found, whereas Luzindole-treated cells had a significantly increase in the invasion assay. As a result of colony forming assay, in YD15 cells, the number of colony formation decreased slightly, whereas in HSC3 cells, the number of colony formation increased. According to the western blotting, no difference in E-cadherin, Slug, and vimentin protein expression was shown. This result of research indicates the possibility of melatonin receptor being related to EMT and new chemotherapeutic target in the carcinogenesis of head and neck cancer.

Autophagy is a cell survival mechanism that works for the survival of cells under various physiological and pathological conditions. ATG5 is a key protein in the process of autophagy propagation and is involved in tumor development and progression. Chemotherapeutic agents targeting ATG5 enhance the host's immune response in various human cancers and intensify the effectiveness of chemotherapy. However, the physiological role of ATG5 protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been fully recognized. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between clinico-pathological factors of OSCC patients and ATG5 immunoexpression through immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the tissues of OSCC patients treated at our hospital, and to analyze the regarding influences and their mechanisms. The authors analyzed 20 OSCC patients from National University Dental Hospital, at Pusan National University from January 2002 to December 2007, which were eligible for the study. Data were obtained by reviewing the medical records of the OSCC patients, and ATG5 immunoexpression was obtained using IHC staining in the tissue samples of the OSCC patients. In the tissue sample of OSCC patients, the immunoexpression of ATG5 elevated, in comparison to the normal oral mucosa, and there was a significant correlation with Drinking, Pathological Stage. In regards to Cox regression analysis, Clinical stage, Tumor size, Histopathologic grade, Cervical nodal metastasis, Loco-regional recurrence, and ATG5 expression have statistically significant correlations. These results imply that the changes in the expression of ATG5 proteins in OSCC can be a prominent factor in the OSCC progression and the prognosis of OSCC patients.

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), also known as keratocystic odontogenic tumor, is a distinct clinicopathologic lesion that can be clearly identified by histologic examination. Clinically, OKC is characterized by a high recurrence rate. This report describes a rare case of OKC with mural calcification in the maxilla of a 47-year-old male patient. Orthopantomography and Cone Beam Computed Tomography showed full opacification with calcification and lateral wall resorption in the left maxillary sinus, destroying the sinus floor. Hard tissue deposits have rarely been reported in the connective tissue walls of OKC. The importance of calcified material formation to the biological behavior of OKCs is unclear. Although its prognostic value has not been studied, the presence of calcification materials does not appear to increase the risk of recurrence. Study of a number of samples would be needed to determine the nature of the correlation between the presence of calcified materials and recurrence.

To accurately determine the resection margin for maxillary cancer, it is important to closely examine the extent of tumor infiltration into the maxilla, nasal cavity, maxillary sinus, palate, and surrounding tissues. Various methods have been described for the resection of maxillary tumors, such as alveolectomy, partial maxillectomy, subtotal maxillectomy, total maxillectomy, and extended maxillectomy. The objective of this study was to introduce external carotid artery (ECA) ligation on the ipsilateral side, a perioperative bleeding control method with fewer complications. Incidence of major bleeding during maxillectomy is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Cases of temporary bleeding from an internal maxillary artery or other sites can be stopped, packed, and compressed. However, bleeding control is eventually achieved by ligation of the ECA or selective embolization. Herein, we report the case of a 60-year-old male with squamous cell carcinoma of the right maxilla, which was eventually treated with subtotal maxillectomy along with an elective ECA ligation for intraoperative bleeding control. The procedure produced no preoperative or postoperative bleeding. ECA ligation is a simple, effective, safe, and (at the operator’s discretion) recommended method of perioperative bleeding control during maxillectomy.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma arising in various anatomical sites. This article describes a case history of BSCC of the floor of mouth with mandibular involvement, and further discusses the appropriate management of such case with reference to the literature review. A 52-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic from another university hospital. Segmental mandibulectomy with supraomohyoid neck dissection and mandible reconstruction with left fibular free flap under general anesthesia was performed, followed by radiotherapy. Histopathological examination on the tumor lesion revealed features of squamous cell carcinoma with comedo-type necrosis. A diagnosis of BSCC was given by the oral pathology specialist. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a biphasic variant of SCC with both basaloid and squamous cell histology. A recent report showed that there is no significant difference in the prognosis. Due to the lack of accumulated research, close follow-up and continuous research are deemed necessary. Treatment that focuses on the stage of the tumor is appropriate. A periodic follow-up observation is also very important due to the occurrence of distant metastasis to the lungs.

Tissue engineering has been rapidly developed in oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. Biocompatible scaffold from chemically composites seeded with stem cells is essential and several growth factors for bone formation and angiogenesis are also required. To overcome limited activity of new bone formation with scaffolds, several biomechanical stimulation methods on cells have been made to grow cells in scaffold. Several bioreactors have been developed for real tissue growth in culture laboratory. In addition to biological stimulants like BMP, growth factors and exogenous drugs, biomechanical stimulation technique has also been known as an effective method in cell differentiation. We developed our own bioreactor with tensile mechanical strains. Then we tested with it for detection of suitable biomechanical effect on the cell differentiation and proliferation. And we also compared the results with the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). Mechanical strain group showed more rapid reaction with cell differentiation and proliferation than non-mechanical strain group. Mechanical strain groups stimulated with 0.5∼0.7Hz for 6 hours and 8 hours showed more active cell differentiation than the group with 0.5∼0.7Hz for 2.5 hours tensile strain stimulation. Group of LIPUS also showed more rapid reaction in cell differentiation and proliferation. LIPUS with 3MHz showed more cell reaction than the LIPUS group with 1MHz. Our results showed the positive effect on differentiation and proliferation of cell with mechanical tensile strain, LIPUS both.

The vascular origin diseases occurring in the oral and maxillofacial region can be divided into hemangiomas and vascular malformation. They are rare and early lesions are not easy to diagnosis, so they may be misdiagnosed as clinicians, or the method and timing of treatment may be inappropriate. For 10 years, from August 2005 to August 2015, we analyzed the clinical records, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of 23 patients with hemangioma or vascular malformation confirmed by clinical, histopathological or radiological examination of maxillofacial lesions at department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Dental Hospital. Chief complants of patients were mainly swelling, mass, and spot-like lesion on various intraoral sites. Treatments were performed with excision, embolization, sclerotherapy, depending on each lesions condition. Arteriovenous malformation cases were more frequently recurred than other lesions. Prognosis of lesions were relatively good but close observation should be needed.

Squamous odontogenic tumor (SOT) is a relatively rare, benign, small (rarely > 1.5 cm in diameter), but locally infiltrative and occasionally aggressive odontogenic epithelial lesion that appears to have harmatomous and neoplastic characteristics [1]. SOT is often asymptomatic, although it can present with mildly painful gingival swelling or tooth mobility. Radiographically, SOT is usually visualized as an irregularly or triangularly shaped unilocular radiolucency associated with the lateral roots of teeth. We report a case of the squamous odontogenic tumor occurring in a 60-year-old female in the right posterior maxilla with unusual radiographic and clinical appearances.

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), also known as keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT), is an emerging odontogenic tumor originating from the dental lamina. It is an aggressive lesion with a squamous epithelium and a recurrence rate of 15-35%.1 Radiologically, there is a clear, smooth, or shell-like border showing a unilocular or multifocal, polycystic radiographic picture. Hard tissue formation in OKC is a very rare phenomenon and occurs in the form of dystrophic calcification, cartilaginous tissue or dentinoid.2 In this article, we report the case of OKC with calcification. OKC with radiopaque lesion is very rare, these are considered as dystrophic calcification, dentinoid formation, ossification. The incidence of dystrophic calcification in recurrent OKC is low, so it can be inferred that the recurrence rate of OKC with dystrophic calcification is lower than that of conventional OKC.

Natural products are vastly utilized as a source of chemotherapeutic agents for human cancers. Kochia scopraia is traditionally used for the cure of urological and dermatological diseases. Recently, methanol extract of Kochia scoparia (MEKS) has been shown to have anti-cancer activity to various human cancers. However, there is no report demonstrating the anti-cancer activity of MEKS in human mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) cells. In this study, the authors studied the effects of MEKS on the cell proliferation and underlying mechanism in YD15 human MEC cells. MEKS decreased YD15 cell proliferation proven by trypan blue exclusion assay and induced apoptosis, evidenced by cell cycle analysis and western blotting. Autophagy induction by MEKS was verified by western blotting. In addition, MEKS regulated the expression of phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated p38 and Nrf2 protein. This results can imply that MEKS might be a potential candidate for the treatment of human MEC cells.

The fruit of Kochia scoparia Scharder is traditionally used as a medicinal ingredient to treat allergic skin diseases and inflammatory diseases in China, Japan and Korea. Recently, several studies reported that K. scoparia had potential for the cytotoxicity of human cancer cells. To investigate the anti-cancer effect of K. scoparia on oral cancer and to determine the specific type of cell death induced by MEKS treatment. We investigated the anti-cancer effects of K. scoparia, methanol extract (MEKS) in HSC4 human oral cancer cells. We examined the effects of MEKS on the proliferation rate, cell cycle arrest, 7-AAD-ANNEXIN V double stain, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activation of apoptosis and necroptosis-associated proteins in HSC4 cells. MTT assay results demonstrated that MEKS decreased the proliferation rates of HSC4 cells in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 45.3 μg/ml. MEKS at 50 μg/ml significantly increased the sub-G1 DNA contents of HSC4 cells to 84.8%, versus untreated cells. However, the activation of apoptosis-associated proteins such as cleaved caspase 3, cleaved caspase 8, cleaved caspase 9 and cleaved Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) did not detect. The level of Bax protein markedly increased in MEKS-treated HSC4 cells. In addition, the cell viability of the DPQ pre-treated HSC4 cells with MEKS treatment was significantly greater than that of MEKS treated-cells. These results suggest that MEKS inhibits cell proliferation and induces necroptosis in oral cancer cells and that MEKS may have potential chemotherapeutic value for the treatment of human oral cancer.

Eugenol is an essential oil found in cloves and cinnamon that is used widely in perfumes. However, the significant anesthetic and sedative effects of this compound have led to its use also in dental procedures. Recently, it was reported that eugenol induces apoptosis in several cancer cell types but the mechanism underlying this effect has remained unknown. In our current study, we examined whether the cytotoxic effects of eugenol upon human melanoma G361 cells are associated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis using a range of methods including an XTT assay, Hoechst staining, immunocytochemistry, western blotting and flow cytometry. Eugenol treatment was found to decrease the viability of the G361 cells in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in eugenol-treated G361 cells was confirmed by the appearance of nuclear condensation, the release of both cytochrome c and AIF into the cytosol, the cleavage of PARP and DFF45, and the downregulation of procaspase-3 and -9. With regard to cell cycle arrest, a time-dependent decrease in cyclin A, cyclin D3, cyclin E, cdk2, cdk4, and cdc2 expression was observed in the cells after eugenol treatment. Flow cytometry using a FACScan further demonstrated that eugenol induces a cell cycle arrest at S phase. Our results thus suggest that the inhibition of G361 cell proliferation by eugenol is the result of an apoptotic response and an S phase arrest that is linked to the decreased expression of key cell cycle-related molecules.

The use of bacteria in the treatment of cancer has a long and interesting history. The use of live bacteria in this way however has a number of potential problems including toxicity. Purified low molecular weight bacterial proteins have therefore been tested as anticancer agents to avoid such complications. Oral cancer is a widely occurring disease around the world and these lesions are typically very resistant to anticancer agents. In our present study we investigated the effects of purified recombinant azurin from Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa against YD-9 (p53-positive) human oral squamous carcinoma cells. Azurin showed cytotoxic effects against these cells in a dose dependent manner. The cell death accompanied by this treatment was found to be characterized by chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies. Azurin treatment was further found to increase the expression of p53 The stabilization of p53 and induction of apoptosis in YD-9 cells by azurin suggests that it has potentially very strong anticancer properties in oral squamous carcinoma.