Novel Molecular Events in Oral Carcinogenesis via Integrative Approaches

Abstract

Cancer is now viewed as a systems biology disease, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can be viewed in a similar fashion. In this paper, we highlight some of the novel molecular events in OSCC, revealed through an integrative strategy of systems biology based on high-throughput omics analysis such as genomics and/or proteomics, the most powerful hypothesis-generating means available today. These approaches have resulted not only in the identification of novel genes for OSCC, but also in more comprehensive networks that describe the mechanisms by which those identified events work, with the promise of developing this knowledge into biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of therapeutic responses in OSCC patients. Long-term, population-based prospective studies of OSCC patients, and those at high risk of developing OSCC, will then be needed to validate these biomarkers.

The mucosal immune system in the oral cavity—an orchestra of T cell diversity

“…Studies on animal disease models such as colitis and IBD illustrate an altered pathological status of the immune system. In addition, in the oral mucosa, ECs and immune cells produce a wide range of cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and TGF-β, 65,84,98 which contribute to an environment that impacts T cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. However, much work is required for a clear understanding of T cell subsets and their function in the oral pharyngeal immune system.…”

“…82,83 OLP, a chronic inflammatory disease, is characterized by massive lymphocyte infiltration in the LP and results in chronic destruction of the epithelium basal layer. 84,85,86 Scully et al . 75,85,87,88 suggested that T H 1 and T H 2 cells contribute to inflammation and mucosal lesion formation in OLP.…”

Phosphorylated p120-catenin expression has predictive value for oral cancer progression

“…Oral carcinogenesis is a multistep process of cumulative genetic and epigenetic aberrations affecting key signalling pathways, allowing cells to establish a transformed phenotype 21 22. Phosphorylation of p120 has been shown to correlate with cell transformation, and p120 phosphorylation at Y228 is a potent downstream effector of EGFR activation 11 15.…”

High level of calpain1 promotes cancer cell invasion and migration in oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly variable disease with multiple heterogeneous genetic and epigenetic changes that accounts for ~90% of malignant oral lesions (1). Despite the improvement in OSCC treatments, the overall survival of patients has not improved significantly during the past 20 years, with 5-year survival rates of 45–60% (2,3).…”