Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used in a variety of biomaterials to amplify the bioactivity. In the present study, the characteristics of allogenic human Umbilical Cord Blood-Platelet Rich Plasma (UCB-PRP) conjugated with gold nanoparticles and smart polymer was assessed. Gold nanoparticles-15nm (5ml) is centrifuged to avoid any gold aggregation. About 1mg of lyophilised UCB-PRP is added and incubated for 12hrs at room temperature. Smart polymer Poly-(N isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) was separately added to AuNPs and UCB-PRP solution and stirred to obtain Smart polymer-AuNP-UBC-PRP conjugate. The optical properties and the overall stability of the drug is assessed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Polarize Light Microscopy and Zeta potential along with antibacterial and cytotoxicity assay. The UV–Vis absorption of Smart polymer-AuNP-UBC-PRP showed PNIPAM characteristic at 240nm. PLM-Dark field images indicated the relative position of individual particles. Zeta potential obtained was +14.71 mV. AuNPs showed efficient antibacterial property against Streptococcus mutans. The cytotoxicity assay showed that the conjugate maintains high cell viability (>94%) in HDPSCs across all tested concentrations indicating low cytotoxicity.

Aim and background:Malignant tumors are rarely seen in children, of which lymphomas and sarcomas like rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma prevail. Histopathologically, these lesions show numerous round cells, which make it difficult to differentiate between one another. Molecular analysis such as immunohistochemistry has proved to be beneficial and cost-effective. The current report aims to highlight an enigmatic case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), emphasizing the role of immunohistochemistry. Case description:A 3-year-old female patient presented to the dental outpatient department with a chief complaint of a progressively enlarging, diffuse swelling over the left cheek region, persisting for the past 2 weeks. Radiographic examination revealed a poorly defined radiopacity involving the maxillary sinus, leading to a provisional diagnosis of odontogenic myxoma. However, tru-cut biopsy from the lesion demonstrated undifferentiated small round to oval cells with occasional strap-like cells and an absence of odontogenic islands, contradicting the initial impression. Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis revealed cytoplasmic desmin positivity, a high Ki-67 labeling index, and negativity for S-100 and CK-19. Based on the immunohistochemical findings, a definitive diagnosis of ERMS was rendered. The patient underwent chemotherapy, and posttreatment evaluation with positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) demonstrated marked tumor regression. Conclusion:This case report highlights the crucial importance of using tru-cut biopsy along with immunohistochemical analysis to obtain an accurate and timely diagnosis of ERMS, which facilitates the early start of appropriate targeted treatment. Clinical significance:The resolution of diagnostic challenges in ERMS hinges on the use of meticulous biopsy technique coupled with advanced immunohistochemical analysis.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma poses a significant global health burden, with over 370,000 annual cases and poor 5-year survival rates of 50%–60%, driven by risk factors like tobacco and alcohol. Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, functional morbidity and resistance necessitate precision immuno-oncology approaches. This review explores the tumour immune microenvironment in oral squamous cell carcinoma, characterized by immunosuppressive elements like M2 macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells, alongside spatial heterogeneity that complicates therapy. Biomarkers for patient selection include programmed death-ligand1 expression (via combined positive scoring), tumour mutational burden, neoantigen load, interferon-gamma-γ signatures, cytolytic scores, peripheral circulating tumour DNA, and single-cell/spatial profiling, though standardization remains critical. Immunotherapy has transformed oral squamous cell carcinoma management, with programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitors like nivolumab and pembrolizumab showing survival benefits in trials, particularly in programmed cell death protein-L1-positive cases. Emerging strategies encompass next-generation checkpoints (Lymphocyte activation gene-3, T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains, OX40), personalized neoantigen vaccines, adoptive cell therapies (Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy), and rational combinations to counter resistance. Nanomedicine platforms—liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, gold-based systems—enhance drug delivery, reprogram the Tumour and immune microenvironment, and enable chemo-immuno-photothermal synergies, addressing mucosal barriers and toxicity. Future priorities include biomarker validation via prospective registries, scalable Good Manufacturing Practice nanoplatforms, AI-driven multi-omic modeling, and federated learning for predictive analytics. By integrating tumour genomics, immune profiling, and advanced delivery, precision immuno-oncology holds promise to improve response rates, durability, and quality of life in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM:Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) rates have been on the rise globally due to a lack of health care facilities, unaffordable treatment expenses and diagnosis at the advanced stages. Cervical lymph node metastasis is a critically important prognostic factor for OSCC patients. Micrometastatic deposits critically shape clinical staging and treatment choices. Microscopic examination for micrometastases is a slow, labour-intensive, and error-prone process. The use of machine learning on lymph node photomicrographs overcomes manual limitations and enables automated detection of metastatic tissue. This current study employed a convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to detect micrometastasis in lymph node sections. METHODS:Fifty lymph node archival tissue sections of 30 OSCC cases with modified Papanicolaou (PAP) staining were considered, of which 25 nodes each were metastatic and non-metastatic cases. A comprehensive set of 500 images was acquired using an Olympus Research Microscope (BX53F2), which was equipped with a CCD camera (Jenoptix Gryphax Arktur). RESULTS:CNN based algorithm was found to be superior compared to the manual method in the detection of micrometastasis. The validation accuracy of the model was 89.36%, classification accuracy of 85%, with a sensitivity of 0.8667 and specificity of 0.8333. Early micrometastasis detection aids tumour upstaging (3 cases), impacting OSCC treatment and prognosis. CONCLUSION:The ROC AUC value of 0.9056 indicates a high level of discriminative capability across thresholds, supporting the robustness of the model in detecting micrometastasis. This CNN model has been justified for improved diagnosis and treatment planning of clinically N0 OSCC patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:The CNN model can function as a supplementary tool to assist pathologic diagnosis, particularly for large-scale populations. CNNs, known for analysing intricate image patterns, can support pathologists by streamlining the identification and evaluation of disease conditions. This support enhances diagnostic efficiency and improves accuracy when managing vast data volumes.

Background: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a significant global oral health problem, particularly prevalent in India, with a high risk of progression to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). This study investigates the molecular mechanisms involved in the transformation of OSMF to OSCC using transcriptomic profiling. Methods: High-throughput RNA sequencing was performed on fresh de novo OSCC samples (n = 8) and OSMF derived OSCC using Illumina-compatible NEXTflex Rapid Directional RNA Sequencing. Normalization and differential gene expression analysis were conducted, and genes exhibiting an absolute log2 fold change of ≥2 with a co-variate-adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 were identified as significant. Results: Upregulated genes were associated with cytokine and immune responses (ABRA, TTTY14, EIF1AY), cellular proliferation and apoptosis (LINC00314, RPS4Y1, SERPINA5, TRIM63, FABP7), and energy metabolism, indicating metabolic adaptations during malignant progression. Pathway analysis showed increased expression of TNNT1, TNNI1, MYL4, and ACTN3, implicating muscle development and embryonic pathways in OSMF transformation. Conversely, genes related to epithelial differentiation and keratinization (FLG, FLG2, HRNR, TCHH, KRT73), immune regulation and tumor suppression (HLA-G, UNC5D), and metabolic signaling were downregulated, reflecting loss of tissue integrity and immune control. Conclusions: OSMF-derived OSCC exhibits a distinct transcriptomic landscape compared with de novo OSCC, characterized by altered epithelial differentiation, immune modulation, and activation of developmental pathways. The observed gene dysregulation findings establish that OSCC developing in the background of OSMF is molecularly distinct from de novo OSCC, underscoring the biological impact of the pre-existing fibrotic milieu on tumor transcriptional architecture.

Context:Cervical lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. Lymph node prognostic determinants hold immense significance in influencing both patient's survival outcomes and the propensity for recurrence. Aims:To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Cyclin D1 and Pan-Cytokeratin (Pan-CK) for the detection of lymph node micrometastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue sections and re-assess the tumor staging. Settings and Design:Study was executed at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Karnataka, Bangalore, India and study design was In-vitro type. Materials and Methods:A total of 30 N0 lymph node sections of OSCC cases were included in the study. Other than Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and modified PAP (Papanicolaou), immunohistochemistry for Pan-CK and Cyclin D1 were used for identification of micrometastatic deposits. Results:Pan-CK and Cyclin D1 was helpful in detecting micrometastasis in 16.66% of N0 lymph nodes which was statistically significant. Based on the results of immunobiomarkers, tumor staging was re-evaluated. Pan-CK and Cyclin D1 showed statistically significant detection of micrometastasis (P = 0.023), whereas Modified PAP did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.083). Conclusions:Pan-CK and Cyclin D1 were specific in detecting micrometastatic deposits compared H&E and PAP stains. Cyclin D1 immunostaining detects molecular overexpression in tumor cells missed on PAP or H&E, enabling identification of small lymph node deposits and improving staging accuracy and patient management.

Lymph node metastasis in oral cancer (OC) complicates management due to its aggressive nature and high risk of recurrence, underscoring the need for biomarkers for early detection and targeted therapies. However, the drivers of this aggressive phenotype remain unclear due to the variability in gene expression patterns. To address this, an integrative meta-analysis of six publicly available transcriptomic profiles, categorized by lymph nodal status, is conducted. Key determinants of disease progression are identified through functional characterization and the TopConfects ranking approach of nodal associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To explore the critical nexus between lymph node metastasis and OC recurrence, significant metastatic genes were cross-analysed with literature-derived genes exhibiting aberrant methylation patterns in OC recurrence. Their clinical relevance and expression patterns were then validated in an external dataset from the TCGA head and neck cancer cohort. The analysis identified elevated expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix remodelling and immune response, while the expression of genes related to cellular differentiation and barrier functions was reduced, driving the transition to nodal positivity. The highest-ranked gene, MMP1, showed a log-fold change (LFC) of 4.946 (95 % CI: 3.71, 6.18) in nodal-negative samples, which increased to 5.899 (95 % CI: 4.80, 6.99) in nodal-positive samples, indicating consistent elevation across disease stages. In contrast, TMPRSS11B was significantly downregulated, with an LFC of -5.512 (95 % CI: -6.63, -4.38) in nodal-negative samples and -5.898 (95 % CI: -7.15, -4.64) in nodal-positive samples. Furthermore, MEIS1, down-regulated in nodal-positive status, was found to exhibit hypermethylation at CpG sites associated with OC recurrence. This study represents the first transcriptomic meta-analysis to explore the intersection of lymph node metastasis and OC recurrence, identifying MEIS1 as a potential key contributor. These comprehensive insights into disease trajectories offer potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for future treatment strategies.

Introduction:Cystic ameloblastic fibroma (CAF) is an uncommon mixed odontogenic tumor. It is rare in children and has a mean age of 15.9 years, commonly seen in the posterior mandibular region. The mural type of CAF is an even rarer subtype, characterized by the presence of cystic spaces lined by tumor cells. Aim:To document the clinical, radiographic, histopathological features, and surgical management of a rare case of cystic ameloblastic fibroma-mural type in an 8-year-old male. The report also aims to provide insights into the diagnosis and treatment of this rare odontogenic tumor in the pediatric population. Case description:We present a case of an 8-year-old male who was diagnosed with a mural type of CAF. The patient presented with facial asymmetry and painless swelling of the right mandible. Diagnosis was confirmed through clinical, radiographic, and histopathological examinations, following which a management plan involving the extraction of affected teeth and the surgical excision of the lesion was performed. A 2-year follow-up showed no recurrence. Conclusion:This report highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt management of CAF during the mixed dentition stage. Small lesions may be treated conservatively, but extensive lesions require radical treatment. This case is the first documented instance of CAF in the Asian population and the second occurrence in patients under 10 years old. It outlines the management protocol for CAF in younger patients with mixed dentition, emphasizing the importance of early intervention for positive outcomes. How to cite this article:Gaviappa D, K VK, Augustine D, et al. Pediatric Surgical Management of Cystic Ameloblastic Fibroma-Mural Type: A Rare Enigmatic Pathology. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(7):871-878.

Background:Odontogenic cysts are common jaw pathologies, causing delayed healing and requiring prosthetic replacement of the lost structures. Despite complete bone regeneration, recovery time is longer. Although numerous studies on managing these lesions using grafts have been found in the literature, ideal materials with potent regenerative properties have been least explored. Chitosan and concentrated growth factors individually have been studied for several years, but for the first time combined use of these grafts was evaluated in this novel study for their bone regenerative properties. Aim:The study evaluated the ability of chitosan and concentrated growth factors (CGFs) to regenerate bone, grafted into enucleated cystic cavities. Methodology:The study involved 10 participants, comprising of 3 males and 7 females, with an age range of 18-68 years and a mean of 43 years. Bone regenerative capacity upon implant placement was assessed using radiographic and histomorphometric analyses. Results:Radiographic and histopathological analyses showed adequate bone filling, bone gain, denser bone, increased trabecular bone area formation, and more compact bone in the test group as compared to control group. Conclusion:The study concluded that the use of chitosan and CGF in cystic lesions helps in bone regeneration, with Sacco's CGF being a simple and inexpensive method of preparation. Clinical Significance:Chitosan's high osteo-inductivity, osteo-integrability, ease of application, and progressive biodegradability make it a useful material. Combining chitosan and CGF can be considered a better option for large cystic cavities as a bone regenerative material.

IntroductionNanoparticles have orchestrated a paradigm shift in the landscape of cancer diagnosis and therapy, presenting a multifaceted approach to tackle the intricacies of malignancies. This comprehensive exposition delves deep into the forefront of nanomedicine, elucidating pivotal strategies and innovations primed to metamorphose the domain of cancer management.MethodologyNanoparticles transcend traditional boundaries, enabling meticulous, site-specific drug release while minimizing systemic toxicity. Intricately designed activation mechanisms, encompassing pH and enzymatic responsivity, along with concentration-dependent strategies, exploit the distinctive attributes of cancer cells, heralding an era characterized by unprecedented therapeutic precision. The pervasive influence of nanotechnology extends to diagnostics, unlocking the realm of early disease detection and personalized treatment. These versatile agents bestow empowering capabilities upon sensitive imaging modalities, affording real-time monitoring and theranostic potential.ResultsThis exposition showcases the evolution of cutting-edge nanoplatforms, bridging the chasm between diagnosis and therapy, thereby redefining the confines of cancer care. This review elucidates strategies to combat drug resistance, a perennial challenge within cancer management. By targeting efflux transporters, modulating apoptotic pathways, and countering hypoxia-induced resistance, nanoparticles stand at the vanguard of therapeutic innovation, poised to reinvigorate treatment efficacy.Discussion & ConclusionMoreover, this exposé underscores the imminent clinical translation of nanoparticle-based drugs, accentuating their potential to metamorphose the landscape of cancer management. Liposomal vaccines, nano-pharmaceuticals, and nanochemodrugs, currently navigating the crucible of clinical trials, bear immense promise in advancing the realm of precision medicine. In this epoch of precision medicine, nanoparticle-fueled innovations stand poised to propel cancer diagnosis and therapy to unprecedented peaks.

PurposeUses for artificial intelligence (AI) are being explored in contemporary dentistry, but artificial intelligence in dental shade-matching has not been systematically reviewed and evaluated. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the accuracy of artificial intelligence in predicting dental shades in restorative dentistry.MethodsA systematic electronic search was performed with the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. A manual search was also conducted. All titles and abstracts were subject to the inclusion criteria of observational, interventional studies, and studies published in the English language. Narrative reviews, systematic reviews, case reports, case series, letters to the editor, commentaries, studies that were not AI-based, studies that were not related to dentistry, and studies that were related to other disciplines in dentistry, other than restorative dentistry (prosthodontics and endodontics) were excluded. Two investigators independently evaluated the quality assessment of the studies by applying the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies (non-randomized experimental studies). A third investigator was consulted to resolve the lack of consensus.ResultsFifty-three articles were initially found from all the searches combined from articles published from 2008 till March 2023. A total of 15 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. AI algorithms for shade-matching include fuzzy logic, a genetic algorithm with back-propagation neural network, back-propagation neural networks, convolutional neural networks, artificial neural networks, support vector machine algorithms, K-nearest neighbor with decision tree and random forest, deep learning for detection of dental prostheses based on object-detection applications, You Only Look Once-YOLO. Moment invariant was used for feature extraction. XG (Xtreme Gradient) Boost was used in one study as a gradient-boosting machine learning algorithm. The highest accuracy in the prediction of dental shades was the decision tree regression model for leucite-based dental ceramics of 99.7% followed by the fuzzy decision of 99.62%, and support vector machine using cross-validation of 97%.ConclusionsLighting conditions, shade-matching devices and color space models, and the type of AI algorithm influence the accuracy of the prediction of dental shades. Knowledge-based systems and neural networks have shown better accuracy in predicting dental shades.

This review presents an in-depth analysis of the immense potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in revolutionizing oral cancer research. It underscores the inherent limitations of conventional treatments while emphasizing the pressing need for groundbreaking approaches. The unparalleled capability of CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely target and modify specific genes involved in cancer progression heralds a new era in therapeutic intervention. Employing genome-wide CRISPR screens, vulnerabilities in oral cancer cells can be identified, thereby unravelling promising targets for therapeutic interventions. In the realm of oral cancer, the disruptive power of CRISPR-Cas9 manifests through its capacity to perturb genes that are intricately associated with drug resistance, consequently augmenting the efficacy of chemotherapy. To address the challenges that arise, this review diligently examines pertinent issues such as off-target effects, efficient delivery mechanisms, and the ethical considerations surrounding germline editing. Through precise gene editing, facilitated by CRISPR/Cas9, it becomes possible to overcome drug resistance by rectifying mutations, thereby enhancing the efficacy of personalized treatment strategies. This review delves into the prospects of CRISPR-Cas9, illuminating its potential applications in the domains of medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. It is paramount to emphasize the necessity of ongoing research endeavors and the imperative to develop targeted therapies tailored specifically for oral cancer. By embracing this comprehensive overview, we can pave the way for ground-breaking treatments that instill renewed hope for enhanced outcomes in individuals afflicted by oral cancer.

Introduction: This research work is designed to identify biomolecules from Earthworm Coelomic Fluid (ECF) of Eudrilus Eugeniae (EE) that can inhibit cancer cellproliferation [...]

Current era is witnessing increased dependence on molecular diagnostics for clinical treatment administration. This mandates the researchers to develop methods that possess improvised diagnostic accuracy for the benefit of the patient. Functionalized magnetic nanosystems are emerging as one of the recent techniques that incorporate molecules to provide functional groups that are beneficial for performing bioassays with the advantage of being reusable, reduction in assay time, cost-effective, and safe. The detection of molecular biomarkers plays an important role in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, renal diseases, diabetes, liver diseases, and in various infectious diseases. The addition of magnetic particles enhances the selectivity and adsorption capacity resulting in accurate diagnosis of diseases. Nanobiotechnology would contribute significantly to disease identification and management. This chapter highlights the importance of using functionalized magnetic nanosystems in biomarker-based molecular diagnostics. The applications of this system in the diagnosis of various pathologies are crucial. Various nanodiagnostics have been reviewed that may improve the sensitivity, reduce the patient's waiting period, and overcome the current constraints of molecular diagnostics. The chapter also appraises the applications of biomarker-associated nanodevices and nanosystems. The techniques used for diagnosis will be emphasized with the clinical trials, existing challenges, and imminent perspectives in the utilization of functionalized magnetic nanosystems for molecular biomarker detection. This technology has a promising future in precision and personalized medicine.

How to cite this article: Yukta HN, Augustine D, SV Sowmya. Effect of Geographic Variation in Bioarcheology: A Forensic Odontology Perspective. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(1):1-2.

Phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate/IP6) is a versatile chemical that is abundant in nature and is required for a variety of biological processes. It is harnessed in a wide range of fields, including drug discovery, daily supplies, chemical industries, medicine, and dentistry. IP6 is becoming increasingly popular in dentistry, with promising results. Several properties, such as cariostatic ability, beneficial impact on enamel disintegration, and anti-plaque, anti-tartar, and dental adhesive-forming properties, have been investigated thus far. Due to many constraints in the literature, there was a point in time when IP6 received less attention, which impacted knowledge in this field. Nevertheless, the positive outcomes of the flourishing of IP6 have recently been reconsidered from a number of papers that have improved our understanding of its modes of action in the aforementioned applications. The role of phytic acid in refining the properties and manoeuvring of dental resources is being investigated in novel endeavors in treating diseases of pulp and tissues supporting tooth structure, but to show its novel therapeutic potential, more precisely calibrated clinical trials are needed. This review examines and discusses the various uses proposed in the literature, as well as the applications of IP6 in dentistry.

Oral cancer is one of the 19most rapidly progressing cancers associated with significant mortality, owing to its extreme degree of invasiveness and aggressive inclination. The early occurrences of this cancer can be clinically deceiving leading to a poor overall survival rate. The primary concerns from a clinical perspective include delayed diagnosis, rapid disease progression, resistance to various chemotherapeutic regimens, and aggressive metastasis, which collectively pose a substantial threat to prognosis. Conventional clinical practices observed since antiquity no longer offer the best possible options to circumvent these roadblocks. The world of current cancer research has been revolutionized with the advent of state-of-the-art technology-driven strategies that offer a ray of hope in confronting said challenges by highlighting the crucial underlying molecular mechanisms and drivers. In recent years, bioinformatics and Machine Learning (ML) techniques have enhanced the possibility of early detection, evaluation of prognosis, and individualization of therapy. This review elaborates on the application of the aforesaid techniques in unraveling potential hints from omics big data to address the complexities existing in various clinical facets of oral cancer. The first section demonstrates the utilization of omics data and ML to disentangle the impediments related to diagnosis. This includes the application of technology-based strategies to optimize early detection, classification, and staging via uncovering biomarkers and molecular signatures. Furthermore, breakthrough concepts such as salivaomics-driven non-invasive biomarker discovery and omics-complemented surgical interventions are articulated in detail. In the following part, the identification of novel disease-specific targets alongside potential therapeutic agents to confront oral cancer via omics-based methodologies is presented. Additionally, a special emphasis is placed on drug resistance, precision medicine, and drug repurposing. In the final section, we discuss the research approaches oriented toward unveiling the prognostic biomarkers and constructing prediction models to capture the metastatic potential of the tumors. Overall, we intend to provide a bird’s eye view of the various omics, bioinformatics, and ML approaches currently being used in oral cancer research through relevant case studies.

CONTEXT:Cervical lymph node metastasis is the most important prognostic factor in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (SCCHN). Detection and evaluation of micro-metastasis forms the basis for diagnosis, staging, treatment options and prognosis. Lymph node prognostic factors are extremely important for the survival and recurrence in the patient. Assessing lymph node metastasis in the absence of clinical enlargement is challenging. AIM:To evaluate micrometastasis and individual tumor cells (ITC) in regional lymph nodes of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by modified papanicolaou (PAP) stain and re-evaluate the tumor staging. SETTINGS AND DESIGN:The retrospective study was executed at MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. METHODS AND MATERIALS:The current study constituted a total of 40 lymph nodes from OSCC patients, metastatic (n=20) and non-metastatic lymph nodes (n=20). All sections were stained with H & E followed by modified PAP stain. Modified PAP was used for identification of micrometastasis deposits. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:The Chi square test was employed to analyze significance. RESULTS:Modified PAP stain proved to be more accurate (p = 0.006) than H and E stain in detecting micrometastasis which accounted for 15% of non-metastatic lymph node sections used in our study. CONCLUSION:Special stain like modified PAP stain is valuable and sensitive in detecting micro-metastasis over H and E stain. Detection of micrometastasis in OSCC patients is advantageous for the patient as it influences staging, it modifies the treatment plan in terms of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.