The aim of this present study was to comprehensively describe somatic DNA alterations and transcriptional alterations in the last extension of the HNSCC subsets in TCGA, encompassing a total of 528 tumours. In order to achieve this goal, transcriptional analysis, functional enrichment assays, survival analysis, somatic copy number alteration analysis and somatic alteration analysis were carried out. A total of 3491 deregulated genes were found in HNSCC patients, and the functional analysis carried out determined that tissue development and cell differentiation were the most relevant signalling pathways in upregulated and downregulated genes, respectively. Somatic copy number alteration analysis showed a “top five” altered HNSCC genes: CDKN2A (deleted in 32.03% of patients), CDKN2B (deleted in 28.34% of patients), PPFIA1 (amplified in 26.02% of patients), FADD (amplified in 25.63% of patients) and ANO1 (amplified in 25.44% of patients). Somatic mutations analysis revealed TP53 mutation in 72% of the tumour samples followed by TTN (39%), FAT1 (23%) and MUC16 (19%). Another interesting result is the mutual exclusivity pattern that was discovered between the TP53 and PIK3CA mutations, and the co-occurrence of CDKN2A with the TP53 and FAT1 alterations. On analysis to relate differential expression genes and somatic copy number alterations, some genes were overexpressed and amplified, for example, FOXL2, but other deleted genes also showed overexpression, such as CDKN2A. Survival analysis revealed that overexpression of some oncogenes, such as EGFR, CDK6 or CDK4 were associated with poorer prognosis tumours. These new findings help us to develop new therapies and programs for the prevention of HNSCC.

Background: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of diode laser photobiomodulation (PBM) on post‐surgical healing, inflammation and implant stability.Methods: Forty dental implants were inserted into 13 patients. The implants were randomly divided into two groups. The test group (PBM+) underwent two sessions of PBM (combined diode laser of 630 and 808 nm), the first of which after surgery, and the second, 7 days after the surgical procedure. The control group (PBM−) received simulated laser treatment. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) was determined immediately after the surgical procedure, and 7 days, 4 and 8 weeks later. Post‐surgical inflammation was assessed following the criteria described by Bloemen and Cols. Healing was calculated using the healing index (HI).Results: No differences were found in terms of the mean values of implant stability between the test and control groups over time. Only two of the implants (18.2%) from the PBM− group were classified with the maximum healing index (HI = 5), whereas in the PBM+ group, nine implants (45%) were classified with the aforementioned index (P < 0.0001). Using the logistic regression, it was determined that the non‐application of the laser in the PBM− group caused an OR of 4.333 times of presenting inflammation (IC95% 1.150–16.323;P = 0.030).Conclusions: The application of 808 nm infra‐red laser for bone tissue, and 630 nm for mucosal tissue in two sessions is considered to be an effective way of reducing inflammation and improving early healing. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

Background: Oral erythroplakia has been classically considered as the potentially malignant disorder with the highest rate of malignant development into squamous cell carcinoma. This critical systematic review and meta‐analysis aim to estimate the malignant development rate of oral erythroplakia and identify the associated risk factors.Methods: We performed a bibliographic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and LILACS, with keywords “erythroplakia,” “erythroplasia,” “malignant transformation,” “malignant development,” “malignization,” “carcinogenesis,” “oral cancer,” “oral squamous cell carcinoma,” “mouth neoplasm,” and “prognosis.” Meta‐analysis was conducted using a random‐effects model.Results: Ten observational studies with 441 patients met the inclusion criteria, whose mean malignant development rate was 12.7% and with a mean follow‐up period of patients of 6.66 years. In the initial biopsy, 42.8% of oral erythroplakia were already squamous cell carcinoma. The buccal mucosa was the most frequent location of oral erythroplakia, but the floor of the mouth was the most common site of malignant development. All patients who underwent malignant development showed epithelial dysplasia on the initial diagnostic biopsy.Conclusion: Overall malignant development rate of OE in the meta‐analysis was 19.9%. We could not associate any specific clinicopathological feature with the malignant development. The presence of epithelial dysplasia in the initial biopsy remains the worst prognostic factor. Further observational studies on OE are needed, with well‐established diagnostic criteria and good clinical follow‐up, in order to identify the true risk of malignant development of oral erythroplakia and the related risk factors.

Background: Nearly two decades have passed since a paradoxical reaction in the orofacial region to some bone modifying agents and other drugs was recognized, namely medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Purpose: The aim of this manuscript was to critically review published data on MRONJ to provide an update on key terminology, concepts, and current trends in terms of prevention and diagnosis. In addition, our objective was to examine and evaluate the therapeutic options available for MRONJ. Methods: The authors perused the most relevant literature relating to MRONJ through a search in textbooks and published articles included in several databases for the years 2003–2021. Results and conclusions: A comprehensive update of the current understanding of these matters was elaborated, addressing these topics and identifying relevant gaps of knowledge. This review describes our updated view of the previous thematic blocks, highlights our current clinical directions, and emphasizes controversial aspects and barriers that may lead to extending the accumulating body of evidence related to this severe treatment sequela.

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to assess the response of oral leukoplakia to CO₂ laser vaporization treatment, as well as determining possible factors that may affect recurrence of lesions.Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted, in which the medical records of patients who had been clinically and histologically diagnosed with oral leukoplakia and treated with CO₂ laser between 1996 and 2019 at the Oral Medicine Teaching Unit of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Santiago de Compostela were reviewed.Results: Fifty‐eight patients were included: 36 female and 22 male subjects, with a mean age of 63.7 years old (SD ±13.1). The average follow‐up time was 57.5 months (SD ±57.9). A relapse rate of 52.6% was determined. Of all the studied variables, the margin was the only one for which a statistically significant association with recurrence of lesions was demonstrated (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The vaporization of lesions using CO₂ laser with a safety margin of at least 3 mm from the clinical limits of OL is a key factor in preventing recurrence.