Clinical, histopathological and immunophenotipic characterization of oral leukoplakia

• Grant number: 16/21929-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2017
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Fragoso Motta
• Grantee: Pedro Franco Ferreira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto (FORP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) affects about 15,000 patients annually in Brazil. The survival of approximately 50% of diagnosed patients with this malignancy is only 5 years, and the early detection of this disease is associated with higher expectations and better quality of life for patients. Potentially malignant disorders, particularly leukoplakia undergo changes in epithelial malignant lesions (SCC), up to 18% of cases. The reasons for this transformation, moreover, are unclear. For this reason, the treatment of these potentially malignant disorders is conflicting and controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical, histopathological and molecular changes that may be associated with malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia. Specifically, we intend to determine: 1) The clinical and histopathology profile of potentially malignant lesions; 2) To study biomarkers that can predict the malignant transformation of leukoplakia in the oral carcinoma, and 3) To determine potential therapeutic targets for the prevention of oral cancer. Patients referred to the School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto - USP for diagnosis of oral lesions that meet the inclusion criteria, will be invited to participate of this study. We will be investigated clinical data, including age, gender, ethnicity, clinical form, size, number of lesions, location, duration, eating habits, addictions and candidiasis. Incisional biopsy of the lesions, and histopathologic analysis will be performed to confirm the diagnosis, followed by immunohistochemical study and western blotting to determine the expression of EGFR, HRAS, PI3K, NOTCH e TTSP. Normal mucosa of patients with leukoplakia and of patients with no oral lesion, and SCC samples will be used as controls. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the institutions involved (CAAE: 62360516.8.0000.5419), and all patients must give informed consent. (AU)