Odontogenic Tumors and Epithelial Lesions
Summary
Odontogenic tumours and epithelial lesions originate from the tissues involved in tooth development, including the enamel organ, dental lamina and epithelial rests of Malassez. These lesions span a spectrum from benign, cystic entities to aggressive neoplasms with malignant potential. Among epithelial tumours, ameloblastoma is the prototypical example: a benign yet locally invasive neoplasm characterised by infiltrative growth in the jaw, bone resorption and a propensity for recurrence. Other important lesions include adenomatoid odontogenic tumour, calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour and various odontogenic cysts, which may exhibit proliferative or destructive behaviour. Histopathology remains the foundation for classification, augmented by immunohistochemical markers and analysis of molecular drivers. Recent genetic and epigenetic studies have uncovered recurrent alterations in the MAPK/ERK, WNT/β-catenin and Hedgehog pathways, notably BRAF-V600E and CTNNB1 mutations, which correlate with anatomical distribution and clinical course. Advances in imaging, single-cell genomics and targeted therapeutics are reshaping management, moving from radical resection towards precision interventions that preserve structure and function while addressing key molecular vulnerabilities.
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Odontogenic Tumors and Epithelial Lesions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in odontogenic tumors and epithelial lesions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Ameloblastoma: A benign but locally invasive epithelial odontogenic tumour arising in the jaws, notable for bone destruction and high recurrence.
MAPK/ERK pathway: A signal transduction cascade that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation and survival; frequently dysregulated in odontogenic tumours.
BRAF-V600E mutation: A somatic substitution activating BRAF kinase, leading to constitutive MAPK signalling and driving tumour growth in many ameloblastomas.
Single-cell transcriptomics: A technique for profiling gene expression in individual cells, enabling the identification of distinct subpopulations within heterogeneous tumours.
EZH2: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2, an epigenetic regulator that mediates histone methylation and supports a stem-like, proliferative cell phenotype in certain tumour subpopulations.
References
- Single-cell transcriptomics reveals cell atlas and identifies cycling tumor cells responsible for recurrence in ameloblastoma. International Journal of Oral Science (2024).
- Anti-MAPK Targeted Therapy for Ameloblastoma: Case Report with a Systematic Review. Cancers (2024).
- The Molecular Pathology of Odontogenic Tumors: Expanding the Spectrum of MAPK Pathway Driven Tumors. Frontiers in Oral Health (2021).
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