Novel insights on oral squamous cell carcinoma management using long non-coding RNAs

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Oncology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a poor survival rate, especially with metastasis.
• Non-coding RNAs, particularly long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are emerging as critical players in cancer.
• lncRNAs are RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that regulate gene expression through interactions with DNA, RNA, and proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of lncRNAs in OSCC.
• To explore the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of lncRNAs in OSCC.
• To provide insights into the biological functions and clinical implications of lncRNAs in OSCC.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of literature on lncRNAs in OSCC.
• Analysis of lncRNA expression patterns in OSCC tissues and bodily fluids.
• Evaluation of pre-clinical and clinical studies on lncRNA-targeted therapies.

Main Results:

• Differential expression of oncogenic and tumor suppressor lncRNAs observed in OSCC tissues and fluids (blood, saliva).
• lncRNAs regulate key OSCC processes including survival, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, metabolism, and drug resistance.
• Targeted inhibition or over-expression of specific lncRNAs demonstrated therapeutic potential in *in vivo* models.

Conclusions:

• lncRNAs are significant biomarkers for OSCC diagnosis and prognosis.
• lncRNAs offer promising therapeutic targets for OSCC treatment.
• Further research into lncRNAs can advance fundamental and clinical understanding of OSCC.