Background: Over 90% of oral cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), originate from the oral cavity epithelium. Early detection for this lesion is as important. Evaluating cancer stem cell markers can improve the accuracy of early diagnosis, and be used as an OSCC prognostic indicator. We aimed to evaluate SOX2 and OCT4 gene expression among different grades of OSCC and oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) lesions. Methods: Sixty samples that contains 45 OSCC and 15 OED samples were retrieved from the pathology department archives at the dental school of Mashhad. Demographic and pathological patient data including the tumor stage and tumor grade were assessed. Finally, SOX2 and OCT4 expression was examined using qRT-PCR. Results: There was a significant difference in SOX2 and OCT4 expression between OSCC and OED samples (p< 0.001). The mean expression of SOX2 and OCT4 in OSCC samples were significantly higher than in the OED group (p< 0.001). The mean expression of SOX2 and OCT4 was higher in grade II and grade III OSCC compared to grade I. There was no significant relationship between the gene expression of SOX2 or OCT4 to the demographic, site and stage of tumors. The correlation between SOX2 and OCT4 expression (p= 0.001) was significant in grade III OSCC specimens compared to other grades (p= 0.005, r= 0.68). Conclusions:The increased expression of SOX2 and OCT4 in higher grades and the significant correlation of these genes with each other among OSCC specimens could suggest the role of SOX2 or OCT4 in oral mucosal carcinogenesis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerges as current outbreak cause by Novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This infection affects respiratory system and provides uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response as cytokine storm. The main concern about SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is high viral pathogenicity with no specific drugs. MicroRNAs (miRs) as small non-coding RNAs (21–25 nt) regulate gene expression. The SARS-CoV-2 encoded-miRs affect human genes that involved in transcription, translation, apoptosis, immune response and inflammation. Also, they alter self-gene regulation and hijacked host miRs that provide protective environment to maintain its latency. On the other hand, Host miRs play critical role in viral gene expression to restrict infection. Over expression/inhibition of miRs might result in cell cycle irregularity, impaired immune response or cancer. In this manner, exact role of each miR should be specified. Mimic encoded-miRs like antagomirs showed successful result in phases of clinical trial prevent from negative effects of viral encoded-miRs. Products of mimic miRs are inexpensive corresponds to synthesis of primer; they are short and nanoscale in size. Although SARS-CoV-2 genome is undergoing evaluation, detection of exact molecular pathogenesis open up opportunities to for vaccine development. Salivaomics can evaluate SARS-CoV-2 genome, transcriptome, proteome and biomarkers like miRs in oral related and cancer disease. In this review, we studied the challenge and opportunities of miRs in therapeutic approach for SARS-CoV-2 infection, then overviewed the role of miRs in saliva droplet during SARS-CoV-2 infection and related cancer.

Odontogenic tumors comprised of complex heterogeneous lesions that diverse from harmatomas to malignant tumors with different behavior and histology. The etiology of odontogenic tumors is not exactly determined and pathologists deal with challenges in diagnosis of odontogenic tumors because they are rare and obtained experiences are difficult to evaluate. In this study, we describe immunohistochemical and molecular markers in diagnosis of odontogenic tumors besides advanced diagnostic technique. Immunohistochemical features of odontogenic tumors beside the clinical features and radiological finding can help us to determine the correct diagnosis. Although these markers are neither specific nor sensitive enough, but analysis of gene expression provides definitive confirmation of diagnosis. In addition, “-omics” technology detected specific molecular alternation associated with etiology such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The post transcriptional events such as DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling by histone modification affect the changes in epigenome. Furthermore, non-coding RNAs like micro-RNAs, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and small non-coding RNA (snoRNA) play regulatory role and impact odontogenesis. Molecular marker propose their potential role in etiopathogenesis of odontogenic tumors and suitable candidate in diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches in addition to patient management. For future evaluations, organoid represents in vitro tumor model-study for tumor behavior, metastasis and invasion, drug screening, immunotherapy, clinical trial, hallmarks association with prognosis and evolution of personalized anti-cancer therapy. Moreover, organoid biobank help us to check genetic profile. We think more investigation and studies are needed to gain these knowledges that can shift therapeutic approaches to target therapy.

Background: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignancy that is associated with high morbidity and mortality all over the world. We explored the role of mRNA expression of both subunits of LDH in the early diagnosis of HNSCC. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study on 62 healthy individuals and 62 patients with HNSCC. The expression of LDH in tumors and healthy tissue margins, and in the serum of both HNSCC patients and healthy individuals was evaluated using a quantitative real-time PCR method. Analysis of LDH-A and LDH-B expression and sensitivity-specificity analysis were carried out using SPSS software. Results: mRNA expression levels of LDH-A (4.18±1.29) and LDH-B (2.85±1.07) isoenzymes in tumor tissues were significantly higher than the expressions in the corresponding healthy tissue margins (1.85±0.56 and 1.61±0.56 for LDH-A and LDH-B, respectively). A comparison of LDH-B expression between histological grade I tumor tissue (2.74±0.19) and marginal tissue (1.62±0.90) showed a significant difference (P=0.016). Patients with a positive history of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking had significantly higher mRNA expression of LDH-A (P=0.024) and LDH-B (P=0.03) in the marginal tissue and blood, respectively. The highest sensitivity and specificity values pertained to the mRNA expression of LDH-A (90.9%) and LDH-B (85.5%) in the blood. Conclusion: This is the first study reporting LDH gene expression as a biomarker in blood and tumoral tissue of HNSCC patients. Given the highest sensitivity and specificity values for LDH-A and LDH-B in blood, we recommend the simultaneous evaluation of both LDH isoenzymes in blood samples as a potential diagnostic method.

Scan to discover onlineBackground & Objective: The present study investigated the relationship between invasive front (IF) of tumors and clinicopathological parameters including stage, grade, nodal involvement, lymphocytic host response (LHR), recurrence, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS).Methods: A total of 87 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) biopsies were evaluated. Clinical stage, grading, nodal involvement, time of recurrence, OS, and DFS were assessed. The number of tumor budding cells in the IF was measured by two pathologists with an optic microscope. IF was graded to low risk (<5) and high risk (>5), according to the counting of tumor budding as a single cancer cell or cluster cells. Also, LHR was reported in the IF as mild, moderate, and severe.Results: IF was reported in 43.7% of patients as a low-risk group and 49.4% as a high-risk group. LHR was also mild in 31%, moderate in 25.3%, and severe in 43.7% of the patients. Most of the patients were in stage IV (31%) and grade 1 (60.9%). The high risk IF group had a significant statistical relationship with stage (P=0.001), grade (P=0.039), five years OS (P=0.03), five years DSF (P=0.01), and lymph node involvement (P=0.007). The relation between LHR and stage of disease was significant (P=0.034). Conclusion:Considering the essential role of histopathological reports in the treatment plan of patients and the relationship between IF and clinical parameters, IF evaluation in routine histopathological examinations, especially in the early stages of OSCC, seems to be necessary.