Abstract This study aimed to analyze the molecular characteristics of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), highlighting the pathways and variants of genes that are frequently mutated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and other cancers. Ten archival OED cases were retrieved for retrospective clinicopathological analysis and exome sequencing. Comparative genomic analysis was performed between high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and low-grade dysplasia (LGD), focusing on 57 well-known cancer genes, of which 10 were previously described as the most mutated in OSCC. HGD cases had significantly more variants; however, a similar mutational landscape to OSCC was observed in both groups. CASP8+FAT1/HRAS, TP53, and miscellaneous molecular signatures were also present. FAT1 is the gene that is most affected by pathogenic variants. Hierarchical divisive clustering showed division between the two groups: “HGD-like cluster” with 4HGD and 2LGD and “LGD-like cluster” with 4 LGD. MLL4 pathogenic variants were exclusively in the “LGD-like cluster”. TP53 was affected in one case of HGD; however, its pathway was usually altered. We describe new insights into the genetic basis of epithelial malignant transformation by genomic analysis, highlighting those associated with FAT1 and TP53. Some LGDs presented a similar mutational landscape to HGD after cluster analysis. Perhaps molecular alterations have not yet been reflected in histomorphology. The relative risk of malignant transformation in this molecular subgroup should be addressed in future studies.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this sutudy dental considerations and an oral cavity maintenance and care protocol in patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in hospital intensive care units. Since the development of COVID-19 in the world, cases of prolonged IMV have increased and together with them, the complications of this type of therapy have been made visible, among which we find those that affect the oral cavity. Hospital centers normally have dental services made up of different specialties, which in a joint effort can provide tools and educate the personnel in charge of the care of the oral cavity in these patients if they are required, being the dentist the one in charge of evaluating and deliver guidelines for the prevention and treatment of pathology of the oral cavity. This work describes the steps to be followed to carry out correct oral hygiene in these patients and the management of the different complications that may be observed, along with local experience on how to best solve them. We consider important that the intensive care units (ICU) get to know the role of the dentist in the hospital environment and that they become part of the care of hospitalized patients to reduce the risks associated with prolonged ventilation, based mainly on oral hygiene management and associated injuries.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este artículo es presentar algunas consideraciones odontológicas y un protocolo de mantención para el manejo y cuidado de cavidad oral en pacientes en ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) en unidades de cuidados intensivos hospitalarios. Además, presentar recomendaciones para la implementación de estas. Desde el desarrollo del COVID-19 en el mundo, los casos de VMI prolongada han aumentado y junto con ellos, se ha visibilizado las complicaciones propias de este tipo de terapia, dentro de las cuales encontramos aquellas que afectan la cavidad oral. Los centros hospitalarios normalmente cuentan con servicios dentales conformados por distintas especialidades, las cuales en un trabajo mancomunado pueden entregar herramientas y educar al personal encargado para el cuidado de la cavidad oral en estos pacientes si es que son requeridos, siendo el odontólogo el encargado de evaluar las distintas situaciones clínicas y entregar directrices para la prevención y tratamiento de patología de la cavidad oral. En este trabajo se describen los pasos a seguir para realizar una correcta higiene oral de estos pacientes y el manejo de las distintas complicaciones posibles de observar, junto con la experiencia local de cómo solucionarlos de la mejor manera. Consideramos importante que las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) conozcan el rol del odontólogo y las acciones que este equipo puede aportar en el cuidado de los pacientes hospitalizados para disminuir los riesgos asociados a ventilación prolongada, basados principalmente en el manejo de la higiene oral y lesiones asociadas.