Background & aim: Angiogenesis has a significant role in growth and development, progression and behavior of malignant tumors. Since SCC is the most common carcinoma of oral cavity, determination of angiogenesis role in behavior of this malignancy is of great importance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between MVD and demographic factors such as age, gender and location and histopathologic grade of the tumor.Material & Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 22 paraffin embedded blocks of SCC of head and neck region. From oral & Maxillofacial pathology dept., Dental faculty, Qazvin University. H & E stained slides of related patients were selected and the specimens were graded by pathologist according to Broder’s classification. The blocks were then stained with anti CD34 monoclonal antibody by means of immunohistochemistry method. In each specimen, three highly stained fields were selected and then MVD average of those fields were counted and analyzed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and T-Student analysis were then used to measure the variables with p<0.05 as level of significance.Results: MVD was 32.66±7.4 and 43.2±7.1 in well and moderate-poor diff SCC samples (p=0.003) These was no significant correlation between demographic factors and MVD (P>0.05).Conclusion: According to this study, there was a reverse relation between degree of differentiation of SCC and angiogenesis. Hence it seems in low grade tumors-in addition to better cell differentiation-less angiogenesis similarly plays role in prognosis of these lesions.

Epigenetic factors are known to markedly influence the functions of a gene by modification of transcripts, via methylation or acetylation and degradation of mRNA transcripts. The CDKN2A encodes cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, a tumour suppressor protein. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in this gene have been demonstrated in several cancer types. The non-coding RNAs with a special emphasis on microRNAs have long been explored for their potential role in the epigenetic modification of gene expression. The present study aims to identify the microRNAs targeting CDKN2A gene transcripts and demonstrate their prognostic significance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Computational approaches were employed to identify the microRNAs targeting CDKN2A. The gene and protein expression profile of CDKN2A was analyzed using UALCAN. A significant upregulation of CDKN2A was observed in the primary tumour tissues (p=<10-12). Interestingly, the protein expression, although found to be statistically significant (p=0.0129) did not correlate well with the gene expression profile. The microRNAs targeting CDKN2A were further analyzed to identify the possible reason for the decrease in protein expression. Among the 44 microRNAs targeting CDKN2A gene transcripts, hsa-miR-3681-3p, hsa-miR-542-5p, hsa-miR-4519 were found to be upregulated and hsa-miR-134-5p was found to be downregulated with a significant association with survival status of HNSCC patients. The hsa-miR-542-5p was found to correlate well with the survival and hence can be considered as the key microRNA associated with HNSCC. However, further validation of this microRNA is warranted to confirm its role in the process of carcinogenesis.

The PDR5 (pleiotropic drug resistance 5) gene, encoding ABC transporter protein, detoxifies cells using ATP hydrolysis. To develop PCR based marker for Fusarium head blight resistance candidate gene (PDR5) in wheat, similar sequences of PDR5 were aligned with DNASTAR software. Primers were designed based on conserved and non conserved sequences. Molecular analysis using moderately resistant (Frontana) and susceptible (Falat) parental lines showed a specific PDR5 allele in Frontana. Amplified allele was isolated, cloned and sequenced. The sequencing was verified on data Bank. Single marker analysis based on phenotyping and genotyping data of F3 generation developed from a cross between Frontana and Falat indicated the specific PDR5 allele had negative effect on FHB infection in wheat.

Background: Reports correlating changes in salivary flow rate and amylase with radiation dose to parotid glands and development of salivary dysfunction for head and Neck cancers (HNC) are lacking. In the current study, an attempt was made at understanding this.Method: This was a prospective study carried out on people newly diagnosed with HNC requiring curative radiotherapy of more than 60 Gy. The salivary flow rate and levels of salivary α-amylase were evaluated before the start of radiation [day 1, before exposure to the first fraction of 2 Gy radiation], after 2 Gy [24 hours after the 1st fraction of 2 Gy, before exposure to 2nd fraction of 2 Gy on day 2 of the treatment], and on the completion of 30 Gy [(15 fraction of 2 Gy), before start of the 16th fraction, at the start of the fourth week on day 22] of radiation and development of salivary dysfunction was evaluated on a weekly basis. The demographic data were subjected to frequency and percentage, while biochemical data were stratified depending on dose to parotids and subjected to unpaired “t-test”. We also employed chi square/Fishers exact test to ascertain changes in the number of patients developing various degrees of salivary dysfunction on a weekly basis. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Radiation decreased salivary flow rate from 0.29 ± 0.02 to 0.20 ± 0.04 (P = 0.0001) and amylase from 147.69 ± 11.15 to 109.07 ± 23.21 U/L (P = 0.0005). Both salivary flow rate and amylase was less in patients with severe salivary gland dysfunction (P = 0.014) and cumulative dose of radiation to the parotid glands (P = 0.014). The number of patients with a severe degree of salivary dysfunction was seen in people exposed to more than 25 Gy to the parotids (P = 0.04).Conclusion: The results suggested that the evaluation of salivary amylase on day 22 could be a useful predictive marker to understand the development of radiation-induced dysfunction in patients with curative radiotherapy for their head and neck cancer.

Background: Radiation dermatitis is known to be a major side-effect occurring following cancer treatment. We conducted the present study to understand whether salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) could be conducive to predict the development of radiation-dermatitis in the head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing curative radiotherapy (60-70 Gy).Method: This was a prospective study performed on HNC patients requiring curative radiotherapy. Saliva was collected at two points from the willing volunteers. The first time point was prior to the first fraction of 2 Gy radiation and the second one was 24 hours after the first fraction and before exposure to the second fraction. The saliva collected at the both time points were analyzed for the levels of salivary LDH using standard procedure. The patients were provided with the standard care throughout the treatment period and the incidence and severity of radiation dermatitis was noted down using a proforma sheet throughout the 7-week treatment period.Results: The results suggested that with exposure to 2 Gy fraction, there was an increase in the level of salivary LDH (387.11 ± 18.98 IU/L vs. 368. 13 ± 19.56IU/L); this increase was significant (t = 20.06 and P < 0.001). The LDH data was stratified based on the severity of dermatitis [mild (grades 1 and 2) vs. severe (grades 3 and 4)] in accordance to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organization for Research and Treatment Cancer (RTOG) grading. The LDH values were subjected to Karl Pearson’s correlation analysis with the grade of dermatitis and the results indicated a P value of 0.019 and R value of 0.24.Conclusion: For the first time, our study revealed that salivary LDH could be a useful marker to understand the development of radiation-induced dermatitis in HNC patients undergoing curative radiotherapy. The most advantageous aspect herewith is that the collection of saliva does not require skilled people or special equipment; it cou ld be done at repeated intervals and without causing any invasive process.

Background: In this study, we sought to understand the usefulness of salivary lactate dehydrogenase as a predictive marker for the development of radiation-induced mucositis. Methods: This was a prospective study with head and neck cancer patients who required curative radiotherapy (>60Gy). We collected patients’ saliva before the onset of radiation and after 2 Gy of radiation to assess lactate dehydrogenase levels. The patients received the stipulated oral and dental care. Data on incidence and severity of mucositis was collected using a preform sheet and oral mucositis assessment scale published by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group throughout the 7-week treatment period. Results: Salivary lactate dehydrogenase increased with exposure to radiation (P<0. 0001) and there was an observed association with mucositis severity (P<0. 0001; r = 0. 515). Conclusion: The present results have established, for the first time, that salivary lactate dehydrogenase could be a useful predictive marker to understand the development of radiation-induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. The proximity of the oral cavity for regular observation and saliva collection is an added advantage.