Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue has frequent lymph node metastases and poor prognosis. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are reported to degrade basement membrane, facilitating invasion and metastasis. This study determined the expression of MMP-2 ⁄ MMP-9 in primary tongue cancer with or without cervical metastases and analysed the significance of such expression in relation to the presence or absence of metastases. Methods: Expressions of MMP-2 ⁄ MMP-9 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 10 specimens of normal oral mucosa, 20 lymph node-negative tongue cancers, 41 lymph node-positive tongue cancers and their metastasized tumours in cervical lymph nodes. Results: MMP-2 ⁄ MMP-9 expression was seldom found in normal epithelium. In lymph node-negative tongue cancer, 45% and 40% of these primary tumours were positively stained for MMP-2 ⁄ MMP-9, respectively. Importantly, in lymph node-positive tongue cancer, 71% and 79% of these primary tumours were positive for MMP-2 ⁄ MMP-9, respectively. Overexpression of MMP-2 ⁄ MMP-9 was present in the metastatic lymph nodes. Conclusions: Our results imply that MMP-2 and ⁄ or MMP-9 play an important role in invasion and metastasis in tongue cancer, and that analysis of MMP expression and ⁄ or activity in primary tumours may have a predictive value for the actual or potential presence of cervical metastases.

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The aims of this study were to investigate the expression levels of ß-catenin, Pin1 and cyclin D1 in salivary adenoid cystic carcinomas (SACC) and to evaluate its clinical importance, furthermore, to elucidate whether ß-catenin expression was aberrant in SACC and whether Pin1 was involved in aberrant ß-catenin and cyclin D1 expression. The expression of Pin1, ß-catenin and cyclin D1 were examined in the specimens of 65 patients with SACC by immunohistochemistry, protein and mRNA expressions were detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR in four SACC cell lines. Pin1 was overexpressed in 51 cases of SACC (78%), and high levels of Pin1 expression correlated with cyclin D1 positive expression (p=0.02). Fourteen (22%) cases showed positive immunoreactivity for ß-catenin protein in the nuclear/cytoplasmic fraction in tumor tissues, which was defined as cytoplasm/nucleus staining, among which quite evident nuclear expression of ß-catenin was detected in six cases (9%), while cyclin D1 positive expression was detected in 41 cases of SACC (63%). Reduced membranous expression of ß-catenin was detected in the cases with metastasis (11/14). Theses results suggest that Pin1 and Wnt signalling pathway are activated in SACC and may play a pivotal role in SACC carcinogenesis and metastasis.

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Tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, encoded by PTPN11, has been implicated in many physiologic and pathologic processes in neoplastic progression. However, controversies are emerging from many studies, indicating SHP2 has a dual role in different types of tumors. We aimed to explore the role of SHP2 in progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). SHP2 inhibited CRC cell proliferation and migration, and the phosphorylation of STAT3 was negatively regulated by SHP2 in CRC. SHP2 and nuclear STAT3 were examined in 270 CRC tissues. SHP2 was significantly correlated with nuclear STAT3 (Spearman’s rho = −0.408, P ≤ 0.001). Based on Cox regression analysis, patients with high levels of SHP2 and low levels of nuclear STAT3 had longer disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR, 0.362; 95% CI, 0.165–0.794) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR, 0.447; 95% CI, 0.227–0.877). Further, low levels of SHP2 and high levels of nuclear STAT3 were independently associated with adverse outcomes in the whole cohort (DFS; HR, 2.353; 95% CI, 1.199–4.619). These results suggest that combination of SHP2 and nuclear STAT3 is a strong prognostic predictor in CRC.

We regret that in Volume 44, Supplement 1, an abstract by Hutchison et al. was omitted from page S12 in the section 'Anatomical, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology including workshops'.1 It is published in full below:TENNIS RACQUETS IN THE JAW: EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMA A healthy 4-year-old boy presented with a 4 month history of episodic pain and swelling of his left jaw which appeared to respond to antibiotics. An ultrasound, orthopantomogram (OPG), CT scan and MRI revealed a 3 cm well circumscribed lesion in the left mandible near, but not related to, his posterior molar teeth. The radiological differential diagnosis included a mandibular abscess or neoplasm such as Ewing's sarcoma, or Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). A fine needle aspirate (FNA) was performed. The cytology, in conjunction with the immunohistochemistry (S100 protein and CD1a expression by the histiocyte-like cells) and electron microscopy (demonstrating Birbeck bodies) showed features characteristic of LCH. The boy was treated with an intra-lesional injection of methyl prednisolone with radiological and clinical evidence of regression of the lesion. Localised LCH is also known as eosinophilic granuloma (EG). Its pathogenesis is unknown, although recent studies suggest it is a disease that results from mononuclear phagocyte dysregulation that may be infective, autoimmune or neoplastic in origin. EG is rare, usually affecting children 5-15 years. The jaws are affected in 10-20% of cases with mandible involvement more common in adults. No consensus exists for the optimal therapy which includes curettage, intra-lesional prednisolone and chemotherapy. Microbiology: ErratumWe regret that in Volume 44, Supplement 1, an author was omitted from an abstract on page S46 in the section 'Microbiology'.