Browsing by Author "Alawi, Faizan"

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    Clinical Management Update of Oral Leukoplakia: A Review From the American Head and Neck Society Cancer Prevention Service
    (Wiley, 2025) Gates, James C.; Abouyared, Marianne; Shnayder, Yelizaveta; Farwell, D. Gregory; Day, Andrew; Alawi, Faizan; Moore, Michael; Holcomb, Andrew J.; Birkeland, Andrew; Epstein, Joel; Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine
    Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) occur in up to 4%-5% of the population, of which oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common subtype. Predicting high-risk OL remains a challenge. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are thought to be of paramount importance to improve outcomes. Methods: We searched PubMed and Clinicaltrials.gov data for updates in the clinical management of OL from 2015 to current. Results: Recent publication of large cohorts of patients with OL aids in counseling patients regarding risk of malignant transformation. Management for OL includes surveillance, excision, and laser surgery, as well as local and systemic approaches to chemoprevention. Several new entities show promise regarding candidate biomarkers, chemoprevention agents, and diagnostic adjuncts, though all require further validation. Conclusion: This update serves to further inform clinical management of OL and provide impetus for future investigations.
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    Topical ferumoxytol nanoparticles disrupt biofilms and prevent tooth decay in vivo via intrinsic catalytic activity
    (Springer Nature, 2018-07-31) Liu, Yuan; Naha, Pratap C.; Hwang, Geelsu; Kim, Dongyeop; Huang, Yue; Simon-Soro, Aurea; Jung, Hoi-In; Ren, Zhi; Li, Yong; Gubara, Sarah; Alawi, Faizan; Zero, Domenick; Hara, Anderson T.; Cormode, David P.; Cariology, Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health, School of Dentistry
    Ferumoxytol is a nanoparticle formulation approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for systemic use to treat iron deficiency. Here, we show that, in addition, ferumoxytol disrupts intractable oral biofilms and prevents tooth decay (dental caries) via intrinsic peroxidase-like activity. Ferumoxytol binds within the biofilm ultrastructure and generates free radicals from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), causing in situ bacterial death via cell membrane disruption and extracellular polymeric substances matrix degradation. In combination with low concentrations of H2O2, ferumoxytol inhibits biofilm accumulation on natural teeth in a human-derived ex vivo biofilm model, and prevents acid damage of the mineralized tissue. Topical oral treatment with ferumoxytol and H2O2 suppresses the development of dental caries in vivo, preventing the onset of severe tooth decay (cavities) in a rodent model of the disease. Microbiome and histological analyses show no adverse effects on oral microbiota diversity, and gingival and mucosal tissues. Our results reveal a new biomedical application for ferumoxytol as topical treatment of a prevalent and costly biofilm-induced oral disease.