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Purpose: To determine the relationship between expression pattern of E-cadherin, β-catenin and cyclin D1, and clinicopathologic parameters in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Materials and Methods:The authors evaluated the immunohistochemical expression pattern of E-cadherin, β-catenin in relationship with cyclin D1 overexpression, degree of histologic differentiation, clinical stage, and nodal status in 146 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). The authors also evaluated the expression of E-cadherin/β-catenin complex, E-cadherin/cyclin D1, and β-catenin/cyclin D1 double staining with confocal laser scanning microscope.Results: Aberrant expressions in 78% of E-cadherin, 77% of β-catenin, and 69% of cyclin D1 in the HNSCC were observed. There was correlation of aberrant expression of E-cadherin and nodal status. Cyclin D1 overexpression was also correlated to clinical stage and nodal status. Significant relation was observed between Ecadherin and β-catenin expression patterns. Co-expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was significantly detected. However, there was no correlation of cyclin D1 overexpression with E-cadherin or β-catenin expression patterns.Conclusion: These results suggest that aberrant expression of E-cadherin, E-cadherin/β-catenin complex, and cyclin D1 may be involved in clinical stage and/or nodal status, and analysis of the pattern of E-cadherin, cyclin D1, and E-cadherin/β-catenin complex may be good prognostic marker of HNSCC.

Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare cause that makes abnormalities of bone metabolism. Our case arose in a 47-year-old woman presenting a nasal mass associated with osteomalacia. We excised the mass carefully. After surgery, it was diagnosed as hemangiopericytoma and her symptoms related with osteomalacia were relieved and biochemical abnormalities were restored to normal range. We report and review a rare case of nasal hemangiopericytoma that caused osteomalacia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESEpithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in not only cancer development and metastasis but also non-cancerous conditions. Hypoxia is one of the proposed critical factors contributing to formation of chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis. Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) has antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we analyzed whether wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on the EMT process in airway epithelial cells.MATERIALS/METHODSA549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells were incubated in hypoxic conditions (CO2 5%/O2 1%) for 24 h in the presence of different concentrations of wheatgrass extract (50, 75, 100, and 150 µg/mL) and changes in expression of epithelial or mesenchymal markers were evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Accordingly, associated EMT-related transcriptional factors, Snail and Smad, were also evaluated.RESULTSHypoxia increased expression of N-cadherin and reduced expression of E-cadherin. Mechanistically, E-cadherin levels were recovered during hypoxia by silencing hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α or administering wheatgrass extract. Wheatgrass inhibited the hypoxia-mediated EMT by reducing the expression of phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) and Snail. It suppressed the hypoxia-mediated EMT processes of airway epithelial cells via HIF-1α and the pSmad3 signaling pathway.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that wheatgrass has potential as a therapeutic or supplementary agent for HIF-1-related diseases.