Molecular review of odontogenic myxoma

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a benign odontogenic neoplasm that tends to recur due to bone infiltration. This review focuses on the molecular aspects of the OM. The following topics are discussed: clonal nature, matrix metalloproteinases, apoptosis and cell proliferation, genetic alterations, and other markers. Translational studies are necessary to identify the prognostic markers of this lesion, and also, molecular biology studies may help to identify the etiologic factors and to develop more effective and less aggressive approaches, other than surgery, to the treatment of this infiltrating odontogenic tumor.