Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc dependent extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling endopeptidases having the ability to degrade almost all components of extracellular matrix and implicated in various physiological as well as pathological processes. Carcinogenesis is a multistage process in which alteration of the microenvironment is required for conversion of normal tissue to a tumour. Extracellular matrix remodelling proteinases such as MMPs are principal mediators of alterations observed in the microenvironment during carcinogenesis and according to recent concepts not only have roles in invasion or late stages of cancer but also in regulating initial steps of carcinogenesis in a favourable or unfavourable manner. Establishment of relationships between MMP overproduction and cancer progression has stimulated the development of inhibitors that block proteolytic activity of these enzymes. In this review we discuss the MMP general structure, classification, regulation roles in relation to hallmarks of cancer and as targets for therapeutic intervention.

Oral dysplasia is a potentially precancerous lesion diagnosed histologically. While the risk of progression is associated with histological grade, it is currently impossible to predict accurately which lesions will progress. Although most oral pathologists recognize and accept the criteria for grading epithelial dysplasia based on architectural and cytological changes, there can be considerable interexaminer and intraexaminer variation in the assessment of the presence or absence and the grade of oral epithelial dysplasia. This article reviews the alterations, criteria, different grading systems and the markers used for assessing the malignant transformation of epithelial dysplasia.

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Objective:To assess the relationship between impacted mandibular third molar presence and the risk for mandibular angle fracture with the effect of various positions of mandibular third molar and the risk of mandibular angle fracture.Materials and Methods:In the North Indian territory, a total of 289 patients with mandibular angle fractures were studied and evaluated for the possible relationship with impacted third molar on the basis of clinical and panoramic radiographical findings.Results:Results that confirmed the highest risk for mandibular angle fracture was associated with mesioangular angulations (45.42%) followed by vertical (26.34%), distoangular in sequence and least risk was found with bucco-version angulations (2.67%) according to Winter's classification. Additionally, the highest risk of mandibular angle fracture was reported with partially erupted third molar (47.75%), followed by erupted (23.53%) and unerupted third molar (19.38%).Conclusion:The risk for mandibular angle fracture is not only affected by status of eruption, angulations, position, number of roots present in third molar but also by the distance of mandibular third molar from inferior border of mandible and the percentage of remaining amount of bone at the mandibular angle region.