The use of the new collagen matrix associated with a collagen membrane could be a clinical option to preserve post-extraction ridges, especially when an improvement in soft tissue dimension and quality is desired. However, the cost-benefit ratio of this approach should be thoroughly evaluated in further studies.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Europe, with an annual increase in incidence ranging between 0.4 and 3.6% in various countries. Although the development of CRC was extensively studied, limited number of new therapies were developed in the last few years. Bevacizumab is frequently used as first- and second-line therapy for management of metastatic CRC (mCRC). The aim of this study is to present our experience with using bevacizumab beyond disease progression at different dosage levels in mCRC patients, in terms of overall survival, progression-free survival, time to treatment failure, and toxicities.Methods: We performed a consecutive retrospective analysis of patients with confirmed mCRC who were treated with bevacizumab at "Prof Dr. Ion Chiricuta" Institute of Oncology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. We included patients who had received bevacizumab as first- or second-line therapy and further stratified them according to the dose administered as a second-line (either standard dose of 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks, or double dose of 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks–depending on the classical chemotherapy partner). All patients had received bevacizumab beyond progression (BYP) which is defined as continuing bevacizumab administration through second-line treatment despite disease progression. In each group, we evaluated the prognostic factors that influenced survival and treatment outcome.Results: One hundred and fifty-one (151) patients were included in the study. Themedian age of patients receiving double dose bevacizumab (DDB) and standard dose bevacizumab (SDB) was 58 years (range 41–71) and 57 years (range 19–75), respectively. The median overall survival in the DDB group was 41 months (range 27–49) compared to 25 months (range 23–29) in the SDB group (p = 0.01 log-rank test). First-line oxaliplatin-based treatment was used more frequently regardless of group, while irinotecan-based more frequently used as a second-line treatment (p = 0.014). Both oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based regimens were found to be suitable partners for BYP. Statistical analysis revealed that dose intensity, primary tumor location, and cumulative exposure to BYP had significant influence on survival.Conclusion: Doubling the dose of bevacizumab after first progression may improve survival in mCRC patients. Increasing bevacizumab dose intensity could override the prognostic impact of primary tumor location in patients receiving double the dose of bevacizumab after first disease progression.

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most frequent malignancies (third place at both genders) worldwide in the last decade, owing to significant changes in modern dietary habits. Approximately half of the patients develop metastases during the course of their disease. The available therapeutic armamentarium is constantly evolving, raising questions regarding the best approach for improving survival. Bevacizumab remains one of the most widely used therapies for treating metastatic colorectal cancer and can be used after progression. This study aimed to identify the best chemotherapy partner for bevacizumab after progression. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who were treated with bevacizumab as first- and second-line chemotherapy. Data were collected for 151 patients, 40 of whom were treated with double-dose bevacizumab after the first progression. The two standard chemotherapy regimens combined with bevacizumab were FOLFIRI/CAPIRI and FOLFOX4/CAPEOX. The initiation of first-line treatment with irinotecan-based chemotherapy improved progression-free survival and time to treatment failure but not overall survival. After the first progression, retreatment with the same regimen as that used in the induction phase was the best approach for improving overall survival (median overall survival: 46.5 vs. 27.0 months for the same vs. switched strategy, respectively). No correlations were observed between the dose intensity of irinotecan, oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, or bevacizumab and the overall survival, progression-free survival in the first-/second-line treatment, and time to treatment failure. Interaction between an irinotecan-based regimen as a second-line treatment and double-dose bevacizumab after progression was associated with an improved overall survival (p = 0.06). Initiating systemic treatment with an irinotecan-based regimen in combination with bevacizumab improved the progression-free survival in the first-line treatment and time to treatment failure. In terms of overall survival, bevacizumab treatment after the first progression is better partnered with the same regimen as that used in the induction phase.

Premalignant lesions of the oral cavity encompass a broad range of pathology and are often comorbid in a variety of patient populations. Prompt diagnosis and management of these lesions are essential to prevent patient morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this article is to summarize and review the evaluation, screening and early detection of premalignant lesions of the oral cavity and to highlight the role of the dental team in recognizing and treating patients with these conditions, that may progress to oral cancer. In addition, a review of a non-invasive detection technique that is currently being marketed to aid general dentists and other healthcare providers for early diagnosis of potential cancerous lesions is presented. Although many studies have assessed the diagnostic accuracy of autofluorescence in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), there has been a paucity of such information in high-risk populations.

Preclinical tests required for the qualification of a biomaterial, designed for tissue-engineering approaches and regenerative medicine, for human trials are generally directed toward the evaluation of the device in animal models that approach the specific clinical application which the device is to be used. Depending on the knowledge in the field and previous data on product one can choose the appropriate model to screen the potential of the biomaterial. The protocols that are now accepted as standardized screening tests are those specific protocols which have been „validated“ through repeated use by different groups and for which consistent results were generated. Our team planned an ample preclinical research to evaluate the post-extraction healing when ridge preservation was performed using different biomaterials. Because these materials have been already tested and used in clinical practice and many data sustain their biocompatibility, we chose to perfect a canine model because: almost all preclinical studies on ridge preservation have been performed on the dog; the alveolar ridge has a similar shape to that of humans; the healing process of the extraction socket is obviously the same as humans and has already been extensively described; the roots of the experimental teeth can be easily removed. Our team studied the early healing qualitative phenomena and the late-healing qualitative and quantitative (dimensional) modifications of the ridges when different ridge preservation approaches were applied. The presented animal model that we perfected was validated by the publication of the results of our research in prestigious journals.