Long non-coding RNA HOX transcript antisense RNA maintains cancer stemness in oral cancer

129 Conclusion: A detailed classification of patients with different degrees of disease severity may facilitate the selection of appropriate treatments, and may provide therapeutic guideline in some extent. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2017.02.448 Long non-coding RNA HOX transcript antisense RNA maintains cancer stemness in oral cancer M.Y. Lu ∗ , C.Y. Peng, C.C. Yu Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Chinese Taipei Background: Increasing evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate diverse cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and tumourigenesis. However, the functional roles of lncRNAs and the mechanistic analysis of their interplays with oncogenic pathways in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) remain largely unknown. Objectives: To investigate the role of lncRNAs and their mechanism in OSCC. Methods: Initially, we identified HOTAIR (HOX transcript antisense RNA) lines and OSCC tissues. ALDH1 activity of OSCCs with silencing HOTAIR was assessed by the Aldefluor assay analysis. Self-renewal, migration, invasiveness and in vivo tumourigenicity of OSCCs was presented. Findings: Silencing HOTAIR in OSCC cells significantly inhibited their cancer stemness, invasiveness, anchorage-independent growth, xenotransplantation tumourigenicity. In contrast, overexpression of HOTAIR in OSCC was found to enhance cancer stemness and metastasis. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated increased HOTAIR expression correlated with poor survival in OSCC patients. Furthermore, HOTAIR has been shown to mediate epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process through EMTassociated transcription factors regulation. Conclusion: HOTAIR-mediated cancer stemness is associated with the regulation of EMT and HOTAIR as therapeutic target in OSCC. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2017.02.449 An audit to assess cancer excision margins and prognosis of head and neck oncology patients — a surgeon’s five-year experience A. Lukmanjee ∗ , P. Hollows Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, England, United Kingdom Background: Incomplete resection margins in head and neck oncology has been known to increase the risk of local recurrence thus requiring consideration of adjuvant therapy. However, conservative surgical management and intraoperative assessment of excision margins also needs to be a factor when planning treatment. Objectives: To identify the implications of an incomplete resection on recurrence rates with the aim to determine the prognosis of T1 cancer patients and improve future holistic management. Methods: The histopathology reports of 122 oncology patients operated on by one consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon from

2009 to 2013 were retrospectively assessed. Excision margins were defined using national guidelines. Findings: The data included demographics, diagnosis, primary sites, pathology staging, excision details, frozen sections and follow up details. Different types of oral cancers were surgically treated with squamous cell carcinomas forming the bulk. The tongue made up 30% of primary sites and pT1 and pT4 were the most common stages. 81 (66%) patients had a complete excision; 90% of T1 cancers being completely excised however 50% of mandibular cancers were incompletely excised. 39% of patients with incomplete margins were managed with chemoradiotherapy however of the 53 patients that had a recurrence, 32 (60%) had complete excision margins. Conclusion: Although only 41 (34%) patients had incomplete cancer excision margins, the audit showed that the majority of recurrences were in patients who had a complete excision which may be due to this group of patients being less likely to have adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2017.02.450 A psychological and oral cancer pain evaluation on oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with invasive treatment course T. Maulina ∗ , E. Sjamsudin, A. Cipta, D.D. Putra, A. Muharti, A. Iskandarsyah, A. Hardianto, M. Nandini, A. Kasim, H.Y. Yusuf Oral Surgery Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia Background: The significance of oral carcinoma lies on its mortality rate and treatment(s) course. Surgery, being the most invasive approach of the treatment courses, may cause some postsurgery physical changes that may lead to psychological effects that may affect the overall prognosis. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychological and pain effect on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients that were about to undergo surgery as one of the treatment courses for the elimination of OSCC. Methods: 14 patients (eight males and six females) diagnosed with a stage 3 or 4 OSCC were recruited. At the start of the recruitment, all patients were about to undergo surgery for the removal of the OSCC. Interviews were performed seven days prior and after the surgery. The questionnaires used were the Distress Thermometer (DT), visual analogue scale (VAS), and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Oral Cancer Pain Questionnaire. All data were then analysed and compared to evaluate the pre- and postsurgery effect. Findings: The current study revealed that there were significant decrease of the pre- and postsurgery mean DT score (P < 0.01) and mean VAS score (P < 0.01). The DT score also showed a significant (P = 0.003) pre- and post-correlation (r = 0.727). The total mean score of the UCSF Oral Cancer Pain Questionnaire also showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01) of oral cancer pain. Conclusion: Despite of the post-procedure physical changes and invasiveness, in the current study, surgery was proven to be stress and pain-reducing for OSCC patients. Nevertheless, ongoing study is needed. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijom.2017.02.451