Moesin is a member of the ERM (ezrin, radixin and moesin) proteins that participate in cell migration and tumor invasion through transductional signals sent to actin filaments by glycoproteins, such as podoplanin. This study aimed to evaluate the participation of moesin and podoplanin in the invasive tumor front of oral squamous cell carcinomas, and their influence on patients’ prognosis. Podoplanin and moesin immunoexpressions were evaluated by a semi-quantitative score method, based on the capture of 10 microscopic fields, at 400X magnification, in the invasive tumor front of oral squamous cell carcinomas. The association of moesin and podoplanin expression with clinicopathological variables was analyzed by the chi-square, or Fisher’s exact test. The 5 and 10 years survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and the survival curves were compared by using the log-rank test. The immunohistochemical expression of moesin in the invasive front of oral squamous cell carcinomas was predominantly strong, homogenously distributed on the membrane and in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. The expression of moesin was not associated with clinical, demographic and microscopic features of the patients. Otherwise, podoplanin expression by malignant epithelial cells was predominantly strong and significantly associated with radiotherapy (p = 0.004), muscular invasion (p = 0.006) and lymph node involvement (p = 0.013). Strong moesin expression was considered an unfavorable prognostic factor for patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas, clinical stage II and III (p = 0.024). These results suggested that strong moesin expression by malignant cells may help to determine patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and poor prognosis.

The aims of this study were to investigate the immunolocalization of ezrin and its relationship with the podoplanin expression in keratocystic odontogenic tumors. The immunohistochemical expressions of ezrin and podoplanin by odontogenic epithelium were evaluated in keratocystic odontogenic tumors using monoclonal antibodies. Our results showed strong cytoplasmic ezrin and membranous podoplanin expressions in basal epithelial layer of all keratocystic odontogenic tumors. The cytoplasmic and membranous ezrin expressions were also detected in suprabasal epithelial layers of tumors. Statistically significant difference between cellular immunolocalization of ezrin and podoplanin odontogenic epithelium were found by Wilcoxon’s test (p < 0.05). No correlation between both proteins in keratocystic odontogenic tumors was detected by Spearman test. These results suggest that ezrin and podoplanin may contribute to the expansive growth and local invasiveness of keratocystic odontogenic tumors. Additionally, as both proteins were overexpressed by odontogenic epithelium, their possible roles need to be further explored in benign odontogenic tumors.

The adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) associated with odontoma has been described as a new entity with overlapping features of adenomatoid-like structures and odontoma. Presentation of the case: We report the second case of AOT associated with odontoma in the posterior maxillary region. A 22-year-old patient presented expansion of the vestibular and palatine cortical wall of maxilla. Radiographic examination and computed tomography confirmed erosion of maxillary walls, root resorption, displacement of a neighboring tooth and radiopacities within the lesion. Histopathological analysis showed a cystic cavity lined by odontogenic epithelium, organized as duct like structures and tubular dentin. The diagnosis established was AOT associated with odontoma. As fewer cases have been described, the aim of this study is to report clinical behavior and evolution of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor associated with odontoma, as it have not yet been described and its origin is not completely established. The hamartomatous or neoplastic origin of this tumor is under debate. Therefore, it is necessary similar cases to be published to increase the knowledge about the clinical behavior and evolution of this tumor, to enable such lesions to be more clearly defined in the next classification of odontogenic tumors.