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Updated: May 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unlocking the Mysteries of Oral Potential Malignancies
Published on: August 11, 2023
[Role of periepithelial microenvironment changes in the malignant transformation of oral potential malignant
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine & College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology, Shanghai 200011, China.
Abstract:
Oral potential malignant disorders (OPMDs) are a group of oral mucosal lesions with a risk of cancer transformation. The microenvironment surrounding the epithelial tissue is closely related to the malignant transformation of OPMDs. However, the changes and role of the periepithelial microenvironment during the malignant progression of OPMDs are not yet fully understood. This review discuss the impact of changes in the periepithelial microenvironment on the malignant transformation of OPMDs from following aspects: the immune microenvironment, stromal microenvironment, metabolic microenvironment, and oral microorganism. In the immune microenvironment, the immune surveillance capacity of periepithelial immune cells weakens, and some of these cells interact with malignant cells, resulting in an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Cells in the matrix promote the malignant transformation of OPMDs through the secretion of cytokines and nutritional support, along with extracellular matrix degradation and local angiogenesis. Epithelial cells undergo metabolic reprogramming during malignant transformation, while the resulting hypoxic microenvironment can further promote the malignant transition of epithelial cells. Oral microorganism fosters the malignant transformation of OPMDs by inducing inflammatory responses and creating hypoxic conditions.
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