Is OLP potentially malignant? A clue from ZNF582 methylation

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology
• Molecular oncology
• Cancer biomarkers

Background:

• The potential for oral lichen planus (OLP) to undergo malignant transformation remains a subject of debate.
• Understanding molecular markers associated with OLP and its progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial for accurate diagnosis and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association of ZNF582 methylation (ZNF582^m) levels with OLP lesions.
• To differentiate ZNF582^m patterns in OLP, oral dysplasia, and OSCC.
• To assess ZNF582^m as a potential biomarker for malignant transformation.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted involving patients with OLP, dysplasia, OSCC, and healthy controls.
• ZNF582^m levels were quantified in lesion and adjacent normal mucosal tissues.
• High-risk habits (betel nut chewing, smoking) were analyzed in relation to ZNF582^m.

Main Results:

• OLP lesions exhibited significantly lower ZNF582^m compared to dysplasia and OSCC.
• ZNF582^m in adjacent normal mucosa increased progressively from OLP to dysplasia to OSCC patients.
• ZNF582^m in OLP patients was not influenced by high-risk habits, unlike in dysplasia/OSCC patients.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that OLP is unlikely to be a potentially malignant disorder based on ZNF582^m levels.
• ZNF582^m shows potential as a biomarker to differentiate OLP from dysplastic features and OSCC.
• ZNF582^m may aid in monitoring malignant transformation in oral potentially malignant disorders.