Septic arthritis occurring in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has received significantly less attention than it deserves. This condition can severely compromise joint functionality, especially if left untreated. Its typical presentation includes pain, fever, swelling, and the loss of TMJ functions. We report a case of TMJ septic arthritis arising in the left joint of a 52-year-old woman. Our report, along with a review of the literature, highlights the importance for early detection of TMJ septic arthritis, its clinical and radiographic characteristics, as well as the management of this rare disease and the proposed etiologies of its pathogenesis. Raising awareness among healthcare providers can promote early diagnosis, improving outcomes and preventing complications of TMJ septic arthritis.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy with a poor prognosis. Surgical removal of the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes (LNs) remains the fundamental treatment for OSCC, although 40% of patients are negative for LN metastasis. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in OSCC progression by enabling epithelial cells to acquire mesenchymal traits, thereby facilitating migration and metastasis. Smad4, a tumor suppressor protein, is known to mediate EMT and is associated with poor prognosis and metastasis; however, its precise pro-metastatic role in OSCC via EMT remains unclear. Aims: We hypothesize that EMT and Smad4 could serve as practical diagnostic tools for personalized OSCC treatment. Methods: In this study, we analyzed 23 OSCC samples from Tzafon Medical Center, comparing the expression of Smad4 and EMT markers with clinical and histopathological data. Additionally, an OSCC cell model with and without Smad4 mutation was used to investigate tumor phenotypes, including proliferation and invasion, in relation to EMT markers. Results and Conclusion: Our findings reveal a strong correlation between EMT markers, Smad4 expression, and OSCC pathological staging, with the cell model further confirming the link between Smad4 and EMT markers. The combined influence of Smad4 and EMT markers on OSCC progression highlights their potential as diagnostic tools and as guides for personalized treatment strategies.

More than 90% of bladder cancers are classified as urothelial carcinomas (UC), with approximately 75% of these cases presenting as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is the current standard immunotherapy for NMIBC, yet it suffers from limited efficacy, frequent tumor recurrence, and substantial toxicity. These limitations underscore the need for safer, more effective, and accessible alternatives. We investigated whether uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), a natural inducer of immune responses in the bladder, could serve as a novel intravesical immunotherapeutic agent. Using orthotopic bladder cancer models in both mice (MB49-luc) and rats (AY-27), we evaluated the efficacy, specificity, immune dependence, and safety of formaldehyde-inactivated UPEC strains, including mutants with altered type 1 fimbriae expression. Intravesical administration of inactivated UPEC significantly reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival, outperforming BCG in murine models and demonstrating equivalent efficacy with markedly reduced toxicity in rats. The antitumor effect was T cell-dependent and partially mediated by type I fimbriae, which facilitated tumor-specific adhesion. Notably, systemic (subcutaneous) administration of UPEC abrogated efficacy and increased mortality, emphasizing the necessity of localized bladder delivery. In conclusion, we identify inactivated UPEC as a potent, tumor-targeting, and T cell-dependent immunotherapeutic agent with a superior safety profile compared to BCG. This approach might represent a promising and practical alternative for bladder cancer treatment.