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vated virus to create more of a naturally produced moleculesoluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor. This factor is underproduced in patients with periodontitis. The molecule delivered via gene therapy works like a sponge to soak up excessive levels of TNF, a molecule known to worsen inflammatory bone destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, joint deterioration and periodontitis. The periodontal tissues were spared from destruction by 60 percent (at four weeks). If you deliver the gene into the target cells once, it keeps producing in the cells for a very long period of time or potentially for the life of the patient, Dr. Giannobile said. This therapy is basically a single administration, but it could have potentially lifelong treatment effects in patients who are at risk [of developing] severe disease activity. The next step is additional safety testing on patients with periodontal disease, added Dr. Giannobile. This research was funded by grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the National Institutes of Health.
STUDY FINDS LINK BETWEEN ORAL INFLAMMATORY DISEASES AND EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS

GENE THERAPY STOPS PERIODONTAL DISEASE DEVELOPMENT

cientists at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, have shown that gene therapy can be used to stop the development of periodontal disease, according to an article published online Dec. 11 in advance of print publication in Gene Therapy. Gene therapy has not been used in nonlife-threatening disease. [Periodontal disease] is more disabling than lifethreatening, said Dr. William Giannobile, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and the studys principal investigator. This is so important because the next wave of improving medical therapeutics goes beyond saving life and moves forward to improving the quality of life. The preclinical study was a collaboration with Targeted Genetics, a Seattle-based biotechnology company. The company recently released human trial results that showed that the same gene therapy approach used to stop periodontal disease had positive effects in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The company tested 127 subjects, who exhibited a 30 percent improvement in pain relief and gain of function. People with rheumatoid arthritis are four times more likely than others to have periodontitis. Periodontal disease also is linked to systemic conditions such as heart disease, bacterial pneumonia and stroke, likely due to the spread of bacteria from the oral cavity to other parts of the body. Using gene therapy, the researchers found a way to help certain cells by using an inacti-

ty of studies have focused on periodontitis, with no systematic attempt to examine herpesvirus in endodontic patients with varying inflammatory diseases. Researchers at the School of Dentistry at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, assessed the presence of human cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and varicella-zoster virus in 82 endodontic patients, including patients with irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis, and compared the results with those in 19 healthy patients. The goal of the study was to determine the potential association of herpesvirus with clinical symptoms, including acute pain and size of radiographic bone destruction. Using a variety of methods, the researchers found the Epstein-Barr virus DNA and RNA in significantly higher percentages (43.9 and 25.6 percent, respectively) in endodontic patients than in healthy patients (0 percent). They found human cytomegalovirus DNA and RNA in measurable numbers in en-

JADAPreview
COMING IN MARCH

significant percentage of dental patients with irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis also have the EpsteinBarr virus, according to an article published in the January issue of Journal of Endodontics. Although the number of studies examining the role of herpesviruses in oral disease has been increasing, the majoriFebruary 2009

dDepth of cure of clear versus opaque sealants as influenced by curing regimens dA healthy weight intervention for children in a dental setting dThe Dental Pipeline programs impact on access disparities and student diversity Look for this and more in the March issue of JADA.

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dodontic patients (15.9 and 29.3 percent, respectively) as well as in healthy patients (42.1 and 10.5 percent, respectively). The researchers found herpes simplex virus DNA in low percentages of endodontic patients (13.4 percent), and they found varicella-zoster virus in only one endodontic patient. Although a previous study examined the incidence of herpesviruses in cases of apical periodontitis, this is the first time irreversible pulpitis has been analyzed for the presence of herpesviruses and associated with Epstein-Barr virus, said Curt Machida, PhD, professor of integrative biosciences and the principal investigator. The incidence of irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis, caused by bacteria and possibly the latent herpesvirus, is painful and can greatly impair the bodys natural immune system, Dr. Machida said. Studies such as ours could someday lead to more effective treatments [for] inflammatory diseases of the mouth. This research was funded by grants from the American Association of Endodontists Foundation, the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, the National Institutes of Healths (NIHs) National Center for Research Resources and the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.
COMORBIDITIES AFFECT SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS WITH HEAD, NECK CANCER

urrent estimates for head and neck cancer survival are largely inaccurate because they widely disregard many of the most common diseases patients have in addition to their primary cancer, according to

Jay Piccirillo, MD, a head and neck specialist at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. Researchers reviewed the medical records of 183 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, throat and larynx who were treated in 1997 and 1998 at BarnesJewish Hospital, St. Louis, which has tracked comorbidities since 1995. The study was published in the October issue of Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Comorbid ailments in these patients included heart attack, coronary artery disease, tumors other than the primary tumor, psychiatric disease, lung disease, stroke, diabetes and alcohol abuse. Many of these disorders can be traced to smoking or alcohol consumption, the same behaviors that may contribute to the occurrence of head and neck cancer, said Dr. Piccirillo, director of the Clinical Outcomes Research Office at Washington University School of Medicine and a professor of otolaryngology. The study results showed that 33 percent of patients with head and neck cancer developed new comorbidities or a worsening of existing comorbid ailments in the time after their initial diagnosis and treatment. Patients with severe comorbidities during the follow-up period had, on average, a 6.7 times greater risk of dying. The most common comorbidities that developed or worsened after diagnosis were malignant tumors unrelated to the original tumor and psychiatric illnesses. The type of treatment patients receivedchemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or some combination of thesemade no
February 2009

difference in the number or severity of comorbidities. For decades, we have used a cancer staging system based on tumor size, lymph node involvement and whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body when estimating a patients survival while mostly ignoring how sick patients are from other diseases, Dr. Piccirillo said. In fact, national databases used to estimate cancer survival dont account for comorbidities, and as a result, we dont have very accurate estimates of how long patients are likely to survive their cancers.
Compiled by Janice Snider, senior editor.

MEETINGS

dThe British Society of Periodontology will hold its spring meeting March 13-14 in Sheffield, England. For more information, visit www.bsperio. org. dThe Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting will be held March 19-21 in Atlanta. For more information, contact Ms. Sylvia Ratchford by phone at 1-404-231-1663, by fax at 1-404231-9638 or by e-mail at sratchford@hinman.org. The 33rd International Dental Show will be held March 24-28 in Cologne, Germany. For more information, visit www. koelnmesse.de. dThe Alliance of the American Dental Association will hold its annual meeting March 25-28 in Baltimore. For more information, contact Ms. Trish RubikRothstein by phone at 1-312440-2865, by fax at 1-312-4407494 or by e-mail at manager@allianceada.org. dThe American Student Dental Association will hold its 39th annual session March 25-

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29 in Louisville, Ky. For more information, contact Ms. Meghan Keelean by phone at 1-312-440-2845, by fax at 1-312440-2820 or by e-mail at Meghan@ASDAnet.org. dThe How to Practice Evidence-Based Healthcare workshop will be held March 30-April 1 in Oxford, England. For more information, visit www.cebm.net/ index.aspx?o=1210. dThe American Association for Dental Research will hold its 38th Annual Meeting & Exhibition April 1-4 in Miami. For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Fox by phone at 1-703-548-0066, by fax at 1-703548-1883 or by e-mail at christopherfox@iadr.org.
APPOINTMENTS/ ELECTIONS/AWARDS

as president of the Southern Association of Orthodontists. Other officers are Dr. Rolland R. Reed, Ocala, Fla., presidentelect; and Dr. Rodney Klima, Burke, Va., secretary-treasurer. dDr. Tonya Volk, Skokie, Ill., has joined the orthodontics department at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ADA ANNUAL SESSIONS

2009 Sept. 30-Oct. 4, Honolulu 2010 Oct. 9-12, Orlando

dDr. Tim S. Trulove, Montgomery, Ala., was installed

Meeting dates are subject to change. Dentists interested in attending any of the listed

meetings should contact the sponsoring organization for more information. Alabama Dental Association, 836 Washington Ave., Montgomery 36104-3839, 1-334-265-1684, June 9-14, Orange Beach. Alaska Dental Society, 9170 Jewel Lake Road, Suite 203, Anchorage 99502-5381, 1-907-563-3003, May 7-10, Fairbanks. Arizona Dental Association, 3193 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale 85251-6491, 1-480344-5777, Western Regional Dental Convention, March 12-14, Phoenix. Arkansas State Dental Association, 7480 Highway 107, Sherwood 72120, 1-501834-7650, April 3-4, Hot Springs. California Dental Association, 1201 K Street Mall, Sacramento 95814, 1-916-443-

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0505, Spring Scientific Session, May 14-17, Anaheim; Fall Scientific Session, Sept. 11-13, San Francisco. Colorado Dental Association, 3690 S. Yosemite, Suite 100, Denver 80237-1808, 1-303740-6900, June 11-14, Vail. Connecticut State Dental Association, 835 W. Queen St., Southington 06489, 1-860-3781800, May 6-8, Uncasville. Delaware State Dental Society, The Christiana Executive Campus, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 111, Newark 19713, 1-302-368-7634, May 14-15, Wilmington. District of Columbia Dental Society, 502 C St., N.E., Washington 20002-5810, 1-202-547-7613, April 16-18, Washington. Florida Dental Association, 1111 E. Tennessee St., Suite 102, Tallahassee 323086913, 1-850-681-3629, June 1820, Orlando. Georgia Dental Association, 7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 200, Building 17, N.E., Atlanta 30328-1655, 1-404-636-7553, July 30-Aug. 2, Asheville, N.C. Idaho State Dental Association, 1220 W. Hays St., Boise 83702-5315, 1-208-3437543, June 10-13, Boise. Illinois State Dental Society, 1010 S. Second St., Springfield 62705, 1-217-5251406, Sept. 11-13, Oak Brook. Indiana Dental Association, P.O. Box 2467, Indianapolis 46206-2467, 1-317-6342610, May 7-9, Indianapolis. Iowa Dental Association, 5530 W. Parkway, Suite 100, Johnston 50131, 1-515-9865605, May 1-3, Coralville. Kansas Dental Association, 5200 S.W. Huntoon St., Topeka 66604-2398, 1-785-272154 JADA, Vol. 140 http://jada.ada.org

7360, Heart of America Dental Symposium, April 1618, Wichita. Kentucky Dental Association, 1920 Nelson Miller Parkway, Louisville 40223, 1-502-489-9121, April 2-5, Louisville. Louisiana Dental Association, 7833 Office Park Blvd., Baton Rouge 70809-7604, 1-225926-1986, April 2-4, New Orleans. Maine Dental Association, P.O. Box 215, Manchester 04351-0215, 1-207-622-7900, June 19-20, Rockport. Maryland State Dental Association, 6410 Dobbin Road, Suite F, Columbia 21045, 1-410-964-2880, Sept. 25-27, Ocean City. Michigan Dental Association, 230 N. Washington Square, Suite 208, Lansing 48933-1312, 1-517-372-9070, April 22-25, Lansing. Minnesota Dental Association, 1335 Industrial Blvd., Suite 200, Minneapolis 554134801, 1-651-646-7454, Star of the North Meeting, April 2325, St. Paul. Mississippi Dental Association, 2630 Ridgewood Road, Suite C, Jackson 39216-4903, 1-601-982-0442, June 12-16, Destin, Fla. Montana Dental Association, P.O. Box 1154, Helena 59624-1154, 1-406-443-2061, May 21-22, Great Falls. Nebraska Dental Association, 3120 O St., Lincoln 68510-1533, 1-402-476-1704, April 2-4, Omaha. Nevada Dental Association, 8863 W. Flamingo Road, Suite 102, Las Vegas 891478718, 1-702-255-4211, July 911, Lake Tahoe. New Hampshire Dental Society, 23 S. State St.,
February 2009

Concord 03301, 1-603-225-5961, May 14-16, Newcastle. New Jersey Dental Association, One Dental Plaza, P.O. Box 6020, North Brunswick 08902-6020, 1-732-821-9400, June 3-5, Atlantic City. New Mexico Dental Association, 9201 Montgomery Blvd. N.E., Suite 601, Albuquerque 87111, 1-505-294-1368, June 11-13, Albuquerque. New York State Dental Association, 20 Corporate Woods Blvd., Suite 602, Albany 12211, 1-518-465-0044, SemiAnnual Board of Governors Meeting, May 28-31, Saratoga Springs. North Carolina Dental Society, P.O. Box 4099, Cary 27519-4099, 1-919-677-1396, May 14-17, Myrtle Beach, S.C. North Dakota Dental Association, P.O. Box 1332, Bismarck 58502-1332, 1-701223-8870, Sept. 18-20, Fargo. Ohio Dental Association, 1370 Dublin Road, Columbus 43215-1009, 1-614-486-2700, Aug. 27-30, Columbus. Oklahoma Dental Association, 317 N.E. 13th St., Oklahoma City 73104-2835, 1-405-848-8873, April 23-25, Tulsa. Oregon Dental Association, P.O. Box 3710, Wilsonville 97070-3710, 1-503-218-2010, April 2-4, Portland. Pennsylvania Dental Association, P.O. Box 3341, Harrisburg 17105-3341, 1-717234-5941, April 23-26, Hershey. Rhode Island Dental Association, 200 Centerville Road, Suite 7, Warwick 02886-4339, 1-401-732-6833, May 27, Providence. South Carolina Dental Association, 120 Stonemark

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Lane, Columbia 29210-3841, 1-803-750-2277, April 28-May 3, Myrtle Beach. South Dakota Dental Association, P.O. Box 1194, Suite 103, 804 N. Euclid, Pierre 57501-1194, 1-605-224-9133, May 14-17, Sioux Falls. Tennessee Dental Association, Suite 300, 660 Bakers Bridge Ave., Franklin 37067, 1-615-628-0208, May 14-17, Knoxville. Texas Dental Association, 1946 S. IH35, Suite 400, Austin 78704, 1-512-443-3675, May 710, San Antonio. Vermont State Dental Society, 100 Dorset St., Suite 18, South Burlington 054036241, 1-802-864-0115, Sept. 1718, South Burlington. Virginia Dental Association, 7525 Staples Mill Road, Richmond 23228, 1-804-2611610, June 18-20, Williamsburg. Washington State Dental Association, 1001 Fourth Ave., Suite 3800, Seattle 98154, 1-206-448-1914, July 23-24, Seattle. West Virginia Dental Association, 2016-1/2 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston 25311, 1-304-3445246, July 16-19, White Sulphur Springs. Wisconsin Dental Association, 6737 W. Washington St., Suite 2360, West Allis 53214-4815, 1-414276-4520, April 30-May 1, Wisconsin Dells. Wyoming Dental Association, P.O. Box 40019, Casper 82604, 1-307-237-1186, June 18-21, Cheyenne.
Compiled by Jennifer Garvin, senior editor, ADA News, garvinj@ada.org.

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