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Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
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MicroRNA-31: a pivotal oncogenic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Xiaojiao Lin1, Weizhou Wu2, Yukang Ying1

  • 1Department of Stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), 318000, Zhejiang, China.

Cell Death Discovery
|March 30, 2022
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNA-31 (miR-31) is an oncogenic factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development. Upregulated miR-31 in OSCC patients may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presents significant treatment and prognosis challenges due to high rates of recurrence and metastasis.
  • MicroRNA-31 (miR-31), an early mammalian microRNA, is increasingly recognized for its role in OSCC.
  • Existing research indicates a strong association between miR-31 and the progression of OSCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review and synthesize current evidence on the association between miR-31 and OSCC.
  • To elucidate the oncogenic role of miR-31 in OSCC tumorigenesis and progression.
  • To explore the potential of miR-31 as a diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker for OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies investigating miR-31 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Analysis of miR-31 expression levels in various biological samples (plasma, saliva, tumor tissue) from OSCC patients.
  • Examination of the molecular targets and signaling pathways influenced by miR-31 in OSCC.

Main Results:

  • Ninety-five percent (20/21) of reviewed studies identified miR-31 as an oncogenic factor in OSCC.
  • Significantly upregulated miR-31 expression was observed in plasma, saliva, and tumor tissues of OSCC patients.
  • miR-31 interacts with multiple target genes and signaling pathways (e.g., RhoA, VEGF, Hippo pathway, Wnt signaling) crucial for OSCC development.

Conclusions:

  • miR-31 plays a critical role in the tumorigenesis and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
  • miR-31 exhibits potential as a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response in OSCC.
  • Further research is necessary to fully understand the clinicopathological significance and molecular mechanisms of miR-31 in OSCC.

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