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Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of three normal minor salivary glands, 10 chronic submandibular sialadenitis, and three normal submandibular glands were studied immunohistochemically using the monoclonal antibody (Mab) B72.3 in order to have a better understanding of the distribution of tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72). Diffuse expression of TAG-72 was observed in the mucous cells of normal minor salivary glands, and in the ducts with goblet cell metaplasia and/or hyperplasia of chronic submandibular sialadenitis (eight of 10). Focal expression of TAG-72 was seen in the acinar mucous cells of normal submandibular gland (three of three), and in the mucous cells of normal or atrophic acini of chronic submandibular sialadenitis (eight of 10). These results should be considered in the cytologic diagnosis of the mucoepidermoid carcinoma using the Mab B72.3 as a diagnostic aid, as well as in future studies for the radiation immunolocalization and immunotherapy of submandibular gland tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish a possible association between the degree of differentiation of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) derived from rat oral tissues treated in vivo with carcinogen 4NQO, and the expression of TGF-beta on epithelial cells and the distribution of extracellular matrix proteins (laminin-collagen type IV)., Materials and Methods: A parent tumor showing a spectrum of differentiation was used to establish clonal subpopulations that formed differentiated SCC and undifferentiated (spindle cell phenotype) tumours following transplantation to athymic mice., Results: Immunohistological findings revealed the absence of TGF-beta staining on epithelial cells and extracellular matrix proteins in spindle cell tumours. In contrast, staining of SCC revealed a significant number of TGF-beta positive cells and the presence of extracellular matrix proteins., Conclusions: The findings suggested that there is a positive correlation between histological differentiation, TGF-beta expression and the elaboration of extracellular matrix proteins.

Oral lichen planus is a common dermatosis with oral manifestations. It is widely accepted that its unknown pathogenetic mechanism has an immunological background although the exact immune mechanism involved is not clear. In our research we attempted to estimate the participation of humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of the disease, comparing the levels of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM between a group of 24 patients with oral lichen planus and a group of 19 healthy individuals. Our results revealed no differences for immunoglobulins IgG and IgM (p greater than 0.05) but increased values of IgA were found (p less than 0.05). It is therefore concluded that humoral immunity is involved in lichen planus but it is difficult to explain its exact participation.

Recurrent aphthous ulceration is a common disease affecting 10% of the general population. It is speculated that there is a genetic predisposition for the disease and for this reason HLA antigens may be involved. In our research we investigated 103 Greek patients suffering from recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) ranging in age from 13 to 60 years. For controls 242 individuals were tested the same period with no medical history of RAU. In our results we found that haplotype A2B12DR5 was statistically significantly increased in patients (p less than 0.05) thus considering this haplotype as a genetic marker for the disease in Greek patients.

Oral lichen planus is a common dermatologic disease of unknown etiology, with characteristic clinical manifestations from the skin and the oral mucosa as well. In our study we analyzed the observations in 228 patients with oral lichen planus. The location and the type of the oral lesions of this disease are discussed as well as the prevalence of age-sex and the incidence of the disease. The results of our findings can be summarized as following 1) The reticular type is the most common clinical form. 2) Buccal mucosa is the most frequent location. 3) Females are affected more frequently. 4) The most frequent age in which the disease appears is the 6th decade. The importance of these conclusions are compared and discussed with the findings of other authors.

In this study an attempt was made to correlate the causative factors of leukoplakia. Histologic criteria helped for the classification of our cases in three groups according to widely accepted standards. As final result it is that smoking and excess use of alcoholic drinks could be involved as causative agents. The clinical appearance of the leukoplakia lesions with their histological type is also correlated.