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Background The study compared the clinical effectiveness of topical Tacrolimus (TAC) in patches or gel with Triamcinolone acetonide (TRI) gel for erosive/atrophic oral lichen planus (OLP) and investigated the influence of these therapies on Caspase-3 expression as a marker of apoptosis. Methods Thirty patients were randomly assigned into three equal groups to receive either topical TAC 0.1% patch twice daily, topical TAC 0.1% gel, or topical TRI 0.1% gel four times daily for 8 weeks. Each patient's clinical score (CS), visual analogue scale (VAS), and total atrophic area (TAA) of the marker lesion were measured at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment, as well as after 4 weeks of treatment free period. Caspase-3 expression and lymphocytic counts (LC) were assessed in pre- and post-treatment biopsied stained sections. Results TAC patch resulted in a higher reduction in CS [− 14.00 (15.54%)] and VAS [− 70.21 (15.82%)] followed by TAC gel then TRI gel within the first two weeks. The reduction in VAS and TAA were significantly higher in TAC groups compared to TRI gel, although the difference between TAC treatment was not significant and this was observed throughout the treatment and follow-up periods. Caspase-3 expression increased in connective tissue in all groups. It decreased significantly within the epithelium in both TAC groups but increased in TRI gel. (LC) were significantly lowered with the TAC patch compared to other groups. The percentage change in Caspase-3 epithelial expression was significantly correlated to the CS, TAA, and LC. Conclusion Both TAC patch and gel significantly decreased pain and lesion size than TRI gel, with a significant reduction in Caspase-3 expression within the epithelium in comparison to the increase seen with TRI gel. The study protocol was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05139667) on 01/12/2021.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common type of oral cancer. Malignant epithelal cells undergo cytological changes by a process referd to as epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). The cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor micro-environment are now the focus of intense research and are believed to correlate with poor prognosis. They are characterized by alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, which is a myofibroblastic marker. Physiologically myofibroblasts are not as abundant as fibroblasts in the oral cavity, they have limited locations such as blood vessels walls in the oral mucosa. Aim: evaluation of the potential role of α-SMA in the progression of SCC. Materials and methods: qRT-PCR was performed to evaluate α-SMA gene expression in tongue SCC cell line (SCC 25), normal fibroblasts cell line (Wi-38) and in a coculture of both cells. Qualitative and quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of α-SMA expression with clinico-pathological correlations was performed for 24 SCC specimens of different grades. Results: qRT-PCR results showed that there was α-SMA expression in the epithelial cells, and that co-culturing resulted in an overall increase in α-SMA expression. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the specimens revealed that the expression of α-SMA increased with tumor grade and correlated with lymph node involvement. Conclusion: α-SMA can be used as a prognostic marker and a potential target for cancer therapy.

Salivary glands are essential structures for the wellbeing of an individual. Salivary gland tumors represent a diagnostic challenge. Following the treatment protocol for malignant salivary gland tumors, the majority of patients experience decreased salivation. Regeneration after the damage resulting from the treatment protocol, is believed to be through the transient activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway which preserve the stem/progenitor pool and allow for regeneration. Medicinal mushrooms have been tried in medicine for centuries. They have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. Aim of the study: to evaluate the effect of mushrooms on the salivary glands of albino rats following DMBA induced pathological changes. Materials and methods: The study comprised three groups each of 12 albino rats. Group I was the control group, group II was given DMBA and group III was treated with mushrooms, following DMBA adminsteration. All groups were assessed histopathologically (H&E) and immunohistopathologically (PCNA). Results: Group II exhibited variable histopathological signs from apoptosis to inflammation, allergy and dysplasia. Group III showed absence of some of the previous signs and a significantly higher PCNA expression. Conclusion: mushrooms may help in the regeneration of acinar cells through the activation of the progenitor cells. It also may have a cancer-protective role.