Biomarkers to predict oral squamous cell carcinoma in precancerous stages

ABSTRACT

There have been many attempts to establish biomarkers in order to determine the susceptibility of some normal human tissues to undergo malignant change. However, definitive markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma have not been yet achieved. Amongst some of the most promising molecular biomarkers, there is a respectful amount of literature produced on p53, both in human tissue fluids and in biopsies of potentially malignant lesions, 3p gene deletions, and, most recently, image-based ploidy analysis of tissue specimens.. In spite of the experimental character and speculative results of all those novel techniques, the image-based ploidy analysis appears to be the most sensitive and reliable method to predict malignant transformation in potentially malignant lesions of the oral mucosa