Occurrence Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Research Articles

Immunological Signatures for Early Detection of Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma through RNA Transcriptome Analysis of Blood Platelets.

Although there has been a reduction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma occurrence, it continues to be a serious global health concern. The lack of precise early diagnostic biomarkers and postponed diagnosis in the later stages are notable constraints that contribute to poor survival rates and emphasize the need for innovative diagnostic methods. In this study, we employed machine learning alongside weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and network biology to investigate the gene expression patterns of blood platelets, identifying transcriptomic markers for HNSCC diagnosis. Our comprehensive examination of publicly available gene expression datasets revealed nine genes with significantly elevated expression in samples from individuals diagnosed with HNSCC. These potential diagnostic markers were further assessed using TCGA and GTEx datasets, demonstrating high accuracy in distinguishing between HNSCC and non-cancerous samples. The findings indicate that these gene signatures could revolutionize early HNSCC identification. Additionally, the study highlights the significance of tumor-educated platelets (TEPs), which carry RNA signatures indicative of tumor-derived material, offering a non-invasive source for early-detection biomarkers. Despite using platelet and tumor samples from different individuals, our results suggest that TEPs reflect the transcriptomic and epigenetic landscape of tumors. Future research should aim to directly correlate tumor and platelet samples from the same patients to further elucidate this relationship. This study underscores the potential of these biomarkers in transforming early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for HNSCC, advocating for further research to validate their predictive and therapeutic potential.

Risk of Skin Cancer in Patients with Psoriasis: Single-Center Retrospective Study Comparing Anti-TNFα and Phototherapy.

Background: The risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in patients with psoriasis is highly debated, and, to date, there is no unambiguous consensus opinion. Psoriasis is known to be related to an increased likelihood of other comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, obesity, metabolic syndrome, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Regarding cancer risk, previous studies have reported a greater tendency for the development of cutaneous T-lymphomas and colon, breast, kidney, and lung cancers. Furthermore, data from network meta-analyses have shown that patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and/or basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Multiple factors may contribute to the development of NMSCs in psoriatic patients, ranging from immunosuppression induced by biologic agents to previous phototherapy. However, the extent to which each factor may impact this risk has not been entirely assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing NMSCs in patients with psoriasis observed for at least 5 years, by directly comparing patients only treated with phototherapy and patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) agents, naive to other systemic treatments or phototherapy. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study at Siena University Hospital, Italy, on 200 adult patients with psoriasis divided into two groups: (i) group 1, including 100 patients treated with narrow-band UVB phototherapy (nb-UVB), and (ii) group 2, including 100 patients treated with anti-TNFα. The patients included in group 2 had to be naive to cDMARDs and biologics and treated with anti-TNFα continuously for 5 years without loss of efficacy. All patients were observed for 5 years and underwent annual dermatologic examinations to assess for the occurrence of BCC or SCC. Results: A total of 34 out of 100 patients treated with phototherapy had one BCC or one SCC and 10 out of 34 developed two skin cancers. In particular, five had both types (one BCC and one SCC), and five had two BCCs. Conclusions: The results of our study highlight how the risk of developing NMSCs is greater in patients undergoing phototherapy compared to those treated with anti-TNFα. It also draws attention to the consideration that patients with scalp psoriasis might need closer follow-up as they could be more at risk of developing NMSCs.

Dermatopathology Trends in African Americans: A Retrospective Analysis of Biopsies.

In a retrospective analysis of biopsies from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, we aimed to determine the frequency of dermatologic conditions biopsied in African Americans (AA). Given that AAs constitute 13.4% of the US population, understanding the skin disease profile within this significant demographic is crucial. From a total of 1701 biopsies collected from 1442 AA patients, benign neoplasms emerged as the most common diagnosis, accounting for 26.7%, predominantly in females. Notably, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma was the most frequently biopsied malignancy, whereas pigmentary disorders were the least common at 1.4%. The study highlighted the higher occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma compared with basal cell carcinoma in AA, contrasting trends in other racial demographics. Moreover, recognizing the unique presentations of skin disorders in different racial backgrounds is essential, especially because disparities have been reported in skin of color training among dermatology residency programs. Understanding these racial differences in skin diseases can assist clinicians in refining their diagnostic approach. Future research could further explore the potential gaps between clinical expectations and histologic findings, improving diagnostic accuracy.

Orbital Metastasis of Cervical Squamous Cell Cancer during Treatment with Pembrolizumab

Purpose: This case report presents a rare occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma metastasizing to the orbit from the cervix.Case summary: A 48-year-old female with cervical cancer and multiple bone metastases experienced binocular diplopia two days prior to admission to the Department of Gynecology for scheduled chemotherapy. She was undergoing treatment with pembrolizumab, a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, for metastatic cervical cancer. The patient exhibited unilateral ptosis and restricted eyeball movement in the right eye. Brain MRI revealed a well-defined lobulated lesion attached to the superior rectus muscle in the right orbit and orbital apex. In suspicion of metastasis, radiation therapy with a dosage of 3,600 cGy was administered to the right orbital area, resulting in a reduction in size of the metastatic lesion. However, distant metastases subsequently developed in the bone and soft tissue, leading to the patient's demise one month later.Conclusions: This report emphasizes the importance of considering orbital metastasis from cervical cancer in patients undergoing advanced stage chemotherapy. It highlights the rarity of such cases and underscores the need for heightened awareness of this malignancy in patients with underlying cancer.

Effect of gold nanoparticles distribution radius on photothermal therapy efficacy

Lasers are used in various fields, however, in the medical field, they are mainly used for incision or chemotherapy. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an anti-cancer treatment technique that uses lasers and the photothermal effect to increase the temperature of tumor tissue and induce its death. In this study, the therapeutic effect of PTT using gold nanoparticles as a photothermal converter was analyzed numerically for the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma inside a skin section consisting four layers. Numerical modeling was implemented to calculate the temperature distribution inside the biological tissue while varying the distribution radius of gold nanoparticles in the tumor tissue, the number of injections, and the intensity of the irradiating laser. For the given situation, the optimal treatment effect was observed when the distribution radius ratio of the injected gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was 1, the number of injections was 7, and the intensity of the irradiated laser was 52 mW. Three apoptotic variables were used to quantitively evaluate the effect of PTT in each case and thus suggest the optimal treatment effect. However, although the temperature range at which apoptosis occurs is known, the maintenance of that temperature range is still under research and the temporal influence of apoptosis remains to be determined.

Metachronous occurrence of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Hypopharynx in a case of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia: A Case Report

Metachronous occurrence of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Hypopharynx in a case of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia: A Case Report

Малигнизация при хроническом остеомиелите бедра: клинический случай

of malignant transformation 34 years after the diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis of the hip. Materials and methods The medical case history was studied and pathomorphological examination of the surgical material of patient D. with chronic osteomyelitis of the femur was conducted. Results Patient D., after a comminuted fracture of the left femur as a result of an accident, at the age of 25 years, developed chronic osteomyelitis, the surgical interventions did not lead to a long-term remission of the process. The course of the disease was complicated by malignancy and pathological fracture. The treatment ended with the amputation of the limb. The pathohistological examination revealed structural changes in bone tissue: necrosis, bone marrow fibrosis, bone microsequestration, inflammatory infiltrate with a high content of neutrophils that corresponded to the morphological signs of chronic osteomyelitis in the acute stage. Signs of pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia, mass appearance of "horny pearls", invasion of the squamous epithelium of the bone tissue, squamous epithelial cells seemed to be highly differentiated. Discussion The pathomorphological picture of the surgical material was characterized as pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia, the prolonged existence of which could cause the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the femur. It is not clinically and histologically possible to establish when the reactive proliferation of the epidermis acquires fundamentally different biological properties of a malignant tumor. It is a serious problem in the timely diagnosis. Conclusion A thorough pathoanatomical assessment of the material from the affected areas (ulcers, fistulous tracts, bone marrow space) is necessary for the early detection of malignant neoplasms that may occur in osteomyelitis. The presence of long-term dynamics of pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia requires vigilance in relation to the process of malignancy.

CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY ON CARCINOMA OF ESOPHAGUS

Background: Oesophageal cancer is among the most severe gastrointestinal cancers in the world due to its quick progression and often fatal prognosis. There is a lack of available information on oesophageal cancer in India, especially in the research area. This research was performed to outline the clinicopathological as well as endoscopic patterns of oesophageal cancer in this area of the globe. The research offers local data as a baseline for future comparisons. Objectives: To know the occurrence of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC ) and Adenocarcinoma (AC) of the esophagus in patients visiting Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad, to know the etiological factors of carcinoma esophagus, to identify disease presentation, prognosis, and progression, and to study the distribution of tumors in relation to age, sex, site of occurrence, and treatment. Study Design: Retrospective, observational study Methodology: This is a retrospective observational analysis of 150 histologically verified cases of oesophageal cancer treated at “Pramukhswami Medical College” (PSMC) and “Shree Krishna Hospital” (SKH), Karamsad between august 2020 to July 2022. Data were obtained and examined from the computer database of medical records. Results: Out of 150 patients,which accounts for 25 percent of all malignant gastrointestinal tract tumors at our hospital. The majority of patients (52 percent) came from rural regions and had poor socioeconomic positions. 43.33 percent of patients had smoking and 41.33 percent had drinking records, respectively. The middle 3rd esophagus (32.17%) was the most prevalent anatomical location for esophageal cancer followed by the cervical esophagus (18.88%) & gastro-oesophageal junction (13.99%). The most frequent histological form was SCC (86.33 percent). Conclusion Lack of awareness of the disease, poor accessibility to healthcare facilities, lack of diagnostic and staging facilities, lack of screening programs and the high cost of care are among the hallmarks of the disease in this region and pose a great challenge in the management of these patients. Addressing these challenges will help reverse this trend.

A Rare Axillary Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most frequent tumor in Brazil and the world. One of its forms, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) predominantly affects the old white population in areas of high exposure to the sun. Most SCCs are indolent, evolving with a cure rate higher than 90% within five years. Rarely, metastasis occurs mainly in regional lymph nodes, but it can also happen in the lungs, liver, brain, skin, and bones. There are currently many treatment options; based on the stratification of the neoplasm as high or low risk, an appropriate approach is defined. Case presentation: This report presents the case of a patient with high-risk squamous cell carcinoma affecting an area not exposed to solar radiation and without any other previous triggering factor, which is quite uncommon for this type of tumor. The rarity of the case stems from the lack of scientific reports on the occurrence of SCC in the axillary region, without a history of local chronic inflammatory lesions. The Portuguese, English, and Spanish languages were used to search the database of the main scientific platforms Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scielo, and Lilacs, with no results similar to the case reported. Conclusion: Despite the fact that the axillary area is not sun-exposed, squamous cell skin cancer manifested as an extensive lesion that required a complex surgical resection with flap repair. Such findings highlight the importance of a thorough physical exam and work-up to diagnose lesions in their early forms which require simple resection procedures and avoid late diagnoses resulting in complex procedures. Such an approach reduces the risk of various complications like wound infection or dehiscence, flap ischemia, or necrosis, among others.

Expression and clinical significance of FGFR1 and FGFR2 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BackgroundFibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) may be of significance in the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues. Examination of the expression results of these factors may offer new insights into treatment of the disease, such as genetic and histological targeted target therapy.MethodsWe selected tissue from 30 cases of laryngeal SCC, 23 cases of adjacent normal mucosa, and 26 cases of benign laryngeal mucosal tissues from patients who received surgery at the Otolaryngology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College between September 2020 and January 2022. The laryngeal cancers included nine cases of supraglottic, 20 glottic (vocal cord), and one case of subglottic cancer, while all benign laryngeal mucosal lesions were obtained from vocal cord polyps. The expression of FGFR1 and FGFR2 was detected in 30 laryngeal cancers, 23 adjacent normal mucosa, and 26 vocal cord polyps by immunohistochemical technology [immunohistochemistry (IHC)], and the correlation analysis of their expression in laryngeal cancer was performed. P<0.05 was represented statistically significant.ResultsThe expression of FGFR1 and FGFR2 was significantly different in laryngeal SCC and the normal tissue >0.5 cm from the tumor margin (P<0.05), and between laryngeal SCC and vocal polyps (P<0.05). There was no difference in FGFR1 and FGFR2 expression (P>0.05) between normal mucosal margins and vocal cord polyp tissue, and no correlation between FGFR1 and FGFR2 in laryngeal SCC and sex, age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, tumor diameter, tumor lymph node metastasis, tumor differentiation degree, and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage (P>0.05), A moderate positive correlation between FGFR1 expression and FGFR2 expression in laryngeal SCC was seen (Rs=0.499, P<0.01).ConclusionsFGFR1 and FGFR2 may participate in the occurrence of SCC of the throat: (I) positive FGFR1 and FGFR2 expressions are not associated with gender, age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, tumor diameter, lymph node metastasis, degree of differentiation, or TNM stage. (II) FGFR2 increases successively with higher FGFR1 expression and with a positive correlation in laryngeal SCC.

Proteomic analysis of plasma exosomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BackgroundCurrently, the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unsatisfactory. This current study evaluated the relationship between histology of NSCLC and protein expression of exosomes in the plasma from NSCLC patients, and furthermore investigate the impact of the exosome profile on the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) classification.MethodsPlasma samples were collected from 26 NSCLC patients before surgery. The exosomes were extracted from the plasma and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to evaluate the expression of the proteins in the exosomes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the Cytoscape 3.8.2 software. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify proteins which could effectively distinguish between lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. The relationship between protein expression and the TNM stage was calculated using Spearman rank correlation.ResultsThe expression levels of ZSWIM9, FYB1, SERPINF1, C1orf68, MASP2, and IGHV3-72 were higher in patients with lung adenocarcinoma compared to patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. MFGE8 was associated with the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma. CORO1A was positively correlated with the TNM stage of the patients, and COL4A2 was negatively correlated with TNM stage. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that cholesterol metabolism was important in NSCLC development.ConclusionsLung adenocarcinoma may be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma by the molecular profile of exosomes in the plasma samples. And, proteomics analysis suggested that cholesterol metabolism may play an important role of cancer progress in NSCLC.

MicroRNA-155-5p promotes cell proliferation and invasion in lung squamous cell carcinoma through negative regulation of fibroblast growth factor 9 expression.

BackgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ranks first for mortality among all malignancies. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the main types of NSCLC. Previous studies have found that fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is closely related to lung SCC via different molecular regulatory mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the relationship between microRNA-155-5p (miR-155-5p) and FGF9 gene expression and their effects on the proliferation and invasion of lung SCC through experiments, in order to provide theoretical basis for overcoming this disease.MethodsFluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed for the detection miR-155-5p and FGF9 expression in lung SCC tissues (n=40) and the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. The expression of FGF9 in the cancerous and adjacent tissues was detected by western blot. Transwell assay used to verify the effect of miR-155-5p on FGF-induced invasion and migration. Finally, subcutaneous tumor formation experiments in nude mice were used to verify how miR-155-5p and FGF9 affect the proliferative ability of lung SCC cells.ResultsThe results of fluorescence quantitative PCR revealed that miR-155-5p and FGF9 were expressed at high and low levels, respectively, in lung SCC tissue samples relative to normal adjacent tissue samples. Western blot analysis of 6 lung SCC tissue samples revealed a significantly reduced level of FGF9. Correlation analysis uncovered that miR-155-5p and FGF9 share a significant negative correlation in lung SCC. At the messenger RNA and protein levels miR-155-5p could negatively regulate the expression of FGF9. Bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assay results confirmed FGF9 to be a downstream regulatory gene targeted by miR-155-5p. Our in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that FGF9 overexpression exerted a significant inhibitory effect on miR-155-5p’s ability to promote lung cancer cell growth, invasion, and proliferation.ConclusionsOur results show that miR-155-5p, as an oncogene, negative regulates FGF9 expression to promote SCC occurrence and development in the lungs.

Socioeconomic status and skin cancer incidence: a population-based, cohort study in the province of Ferrara, northern Italy.

To assess the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on the occurrence of skin cancer in the population living in the province of Ferrara, Italy, a retrospective cohort of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or malignant melanoma (MM), provided by the local cancer registry, was investigated. The SES was expressed through an ecological-based deprivation index. During the 8-year study period (2006-2013, total person-years 2859137), 6051 carcinomas (1535 SCCs, 4365 BCCs) and 459 MMs were diagnosed. Both crude and standardized (on the European population) rates and the standardized incidence ratio showed a direct correlation between BCC and SES. Multivariate analysis confirmed these results for BCC and also for MM, while it showed an excess of SCC incidence in the lowest SES subgroup. This study shows, for the first time, to our knowledge, opposite effects of SES on SCC and BCC occurrence. A role of environmental factors conditioned by SES may be hypothesized.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising at a Skin Graft Donor Site: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Skin graft reconstruction is a common method of providing wound coverage. Rarely, skin grafting can be associated with the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the graft donor site. Case Report: The patient is a 72-year old male with a 15-year history of bilateral hip wounds. He underwent a multitude of treatments previously with failed reconstructive efforts. After presenting to us, he underwent multiple debridements and eventual skin grafting. Within 4 weeks of the final skin graft, a mass developed at the skin graft donor site at the right thigh. Excisional biopsy returned a well differentiated keratinizing SCC. Discussion/Conclusion: This case demonstrates the acute presentation of SCC in a patient following a skin graft without known risk factors. The purpose of this unique case report is to highlight a very rare occurrence of SCC at a skin graft donor site.

Micro-invasive squamous cell carcinoma of gastro-esophageal junction in a teenage female: A rare case report

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an aggressive malignancy more common in older age group. Post 1970’s with advent of endoscopy and the discovery of H. pylori bacteria and with it’s role in malignancy of esophagus and stomach, detection rate of squamous cell carcinoma esophagus has increased subsequently. In this case report we present a case of squamous cell carcinoma gastroesophageal (GE) junction in a 15 years old female owing to its rarity in younger age. The patient presented in the surgery OPD with history of weight loss and dysphagia since the last 5 months. She also complained of epigastric pain and heartburn since the last 2 months. There was no past history of carcinoma of GIT in any family members. Upper GI endoscopy showed an exophytic growth at the GE junction. Histopathological examination of subsequent GE biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of micro-invasive squamous cell carcinoma while the stomach showed features of chronic atrophic gastritis. The patient underwent resection of GE junction through thoraco-abdominal approach followed by radiotherapy for any residual tumour. Our patient is doing well after 3 months post op follow up. This case report emphasises the rare occurrence of SCC in a teenage female with no family history and to consider it in the differential diagnosis in younger patients with similar complaints.

Gastric Cancer Accompanying Plummer-Vinson Syndrome

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS), also called sideropenic dysphagia or Paterson-Kelly syndrome, is a condition characterized by a triad of chronic iron-deficiency anemia, esophageal webs, and dysphagia. This syndrome is considered as a precancerous condition due to the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in the hypopharynx, upper esophagus and oral cavity. Although exact data on the prevalence of the syndrome are not evidently available, physicians need to recognize this rare syndrome. Most of the patients are elderly Caucasian women aged 40 to 70 years, but cases in children, adolescents, or men have also been described. At present, the prevalence of PVS is decreasing due to improvement in nutritional habits and intake of iron supplements. Therefore, the syndrome accompanied with gastric cancer is even more uncommon. We report a case of a 61-year-old woman with PVS who was diagnosed with gastric cancer and improved after treatment.

Proteomics analysis of proteins interacting with heat shock factor 1 in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Protein interactions are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), a transcription factor that interacts with various proteins, is highly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protein interaction profile of HSF1 in cervical SCC. Proteins interacting with HSF1 in SCC tissue and non-cancerous control (Ctrl) tissue were obtained by immunoprecipitation, separated by SDS-PAGE, identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and analyzed using bioinformatics methods. A total of 220 and 241 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry in the tissues of Ctrl and SCC samples, respectively, among which 172 were detected exclusively in SCC (Pro-S), 151 exclusively in Ctrl (Pro-C) and 69 in both groups (Pro-B). The protein interaction profiles were different in each group; the STRING database identified three proteins that interacted with HSF1 directly, including insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and small nuclear RNA-activating protein complex subunit 4 in Pro-C and small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 in Pro-S. Functional enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology revealed that the top terms were alternative splicing in Pro-S and polymorphism in Pro-C. In Pro-S, more categories were related to protein modification, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination and acetylation. Therefore, HSF1 may influence the occurrence and development of cervical SCC by interacting with specific proteins.

Glypican-3 promotes cell proliferation and tumorigenesis through up-regulation of β-catenin expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma.

As a cell surface proteoglycan anchored by glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol, Glypican-3 (GPC3) is reported to be highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to promote cell proliferation and tumorigenesis through activating Wnt/β-catenin signalling. GPC3 is also overexpressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but its effects and mechanisms in the progression of lung SCC remain unknown. The present study aims to explore the role and molecular mechanism of GPC3 in the occurrence and development of lung SCC. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot (WB) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays were used to determine the expression patterns of GPC3 in lung SCC tissues and cells. MTT, flow cytometry and in vivo xenotransplantation assays were used to evaluate the influence of GPC3 on the growth, apoptosis and tumorigenesis of lung SCC cells. The results showed that GPC3 expression levels in lung SCC tissues and cells were significantly elevated, and the high expression of GPC3 significantly promoted cell growth and tumorigenesis and repressed cell apoptosis, as well as increased β-catenin expression. Moreover, knockdown of β-catenin obviously weakened GPC3 role in the promotion of cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, as well as the inhibition of cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that up-regulation of GPC3 accelerates the progression of lung SCC in a β-catenin-dependent manner. Our study provides a theoretical basis for GPC3/β-catenin as a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for lung SCC.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in Children and Young Adults

To identify risk factors associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) occurrence and survival in children. This was a multicenter, retrospective, case-control study of patients <20years of age diagnosed with NMSC between 1995 and 2015 from 11 academic medical centers. The primary outcome measure was frequency of cases and controls with predisposing genetic conditions and/or iatrogenic exposures, including chemotherapy, radiation, systemic immunosuppression, and voriconazole. Of the 124 children with NMSC (40 with basal cell carcinoma, 90 with squamous cell carcinoma), 70% had at least 1 identifiable risk factor. Forty-four percent of the cases had a predisposing genetic condition or skin lesion, and 29% had 1 or more iatrogenic exposures of prolonged immunosuppression, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or voriconazole use. Prolonged immunosuppression and voriconazole use were associated with squamous cell carcinoma occurrence (cases vs controls; 30% vs 0%, P=.0002, and 15% vs 0%, P=.03, respectively), and radiation therapy and chemotherapy were associated with basal cell carcinoma occurrence (both 20% vs 1%, P<.0001). Forty-eight percent of initial skin cancers had been present for >12months prior to diagnosis and 49% of patients were diagnosed with ≥2 skin cancers. At last follow-up, 5% (6 of 124) of patients with NMSC died. Voriconazole exposure was noted in 7 cases and associated with worse 3-year overall survival (P=.001). NMSC in children and young adults is often associated with a predisposing condition or iatrogenicexposure. High-risk patients should be identified early to provide appropriate counseling and management.

Variants in FAT1 and COL9A1 genes in male population with or without substance use to assess the risk factors for oral malignancy.

A number of genetic variants were suggested to be associated with oral malignancy, few variants can be replicated. The aim of this study was to identify significant variants that enhanced personal risk prediction for oral malignancy. A total of 360 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma, 486 controls and 17 newly diagnosed patients with OPMD including leukoplakia or oral submucous fibrosis were recruited. Fifteen tagSNPs which were derived from somatic mutations were genotyped and examined in associations with the occurrence of oral malignancy. Environmental variables along with the SNPs data were used to developed risk predictive models for oral malignancy occurrence. The stepwise model analysis was conducted to fit the best model in an economically efficient way. Two tagSNPs, rs28647489 in FAT1 gene and rs550675 in COL9A1 gene, were significantly associated with the risk of oral malignancy. The sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% and 85.5%, respectively (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.91) for predicting oral squamous cell carcinoma occurrence with the combined genetic variants, betel-quid, alcohol and age. The AUC for OPMD was only 0.69. The predictive probability of squamous cell carcinoma occurrence for genetic risk score without substance use increased from 10% up to 43%; with substance use increased from 73% up to 92%. Genetic variants with or without substance use may enhance risk prediction for oral malignancy occurrence in male population. The prediction model may be useful as a clinical index for oral malignancy occurrence and its risk assessments.