Relevance of micro-RNAs and their targets as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFP Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 364 - 373
• Main Authors: Thomas, Priya, Preethi, K, Selvakumar, Sushmaa, Ramani, Pratibha, Sekar, Durairaj
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chennai Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.04.2023; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Carcinogenesis; Development and progression; Metastases; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs; miRNA; Oral cancer; Oral carcinoma; Oral cavity; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Prognosis; Review; Risk factors; Squamous cell carcinoma; Tumor suppressor genes; Tumorigenesis; prognostic biomarkers; microRNA; oral squamous cell carcinoma; oncomiRs
• ISSN: 0973-029X; 1998-393X
• DOI: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_349_22

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) ranks sixth among all cancers in the world, affecting various sites of the oral cavity with associated several risk factors. High mortality has been associated with the presence of metastasis during the time of diagnosis and an increase in therapeutic relapses. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs with salient roles in the initiation and progression of cancer. The tumorigenesis of OSCC is associated with the dysregulation of several miRNAs. MicroRNAs are an area of recent interest, and numerous studies have been reported and are being undertaken to identify their role in diagnostic and prognostic value for oral cancers. Most of the miRNA processing machinery is considered to be either up-/down-regulated in OSCC, but the underlying mechanism of miRNA dysregulation and their activity as either a tumour suppressor or an oncogene in oral carcinogenesis is not yet clear. The article presents a concise review of the available current literature regarding the various miRNAs' signatures in OSCC and their role as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers.