From Environmental Risk to Cancer Stemness: Epigenetic Regulation in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent and aggressive head and neck cancer with high recurrence rates.
• Conventional treatments show limited efficacy due to tumor complexity, recurrence, and therapy resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving OSCC pathogenesis.
• To highlight the roles of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epigenetic regulators in OSCC.
• To discuss challenges and perspectives in translating research into clinical therapies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current knowledge on OSCC pathogenesis.
• Analysis of the roles of CSCs and epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs).
• Exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting CSCs and epigenetic pathways.

Main Results:

• CSCs are implicated in OSCC initiation, progression, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance.
• Epigenetic modifications contribute to molecular heterogeneity and adaptability in oral carcinogenesis.
• Integration of CSC biology and epigenetics provides a basis for targeted therapies.

Conclusions:

• Targeting CSCs and epigenetic regulators presents a promising avenue for developing personalized therapies for OSCC.
• Novel approaches include eradicating CSCs, inducing differentiation, or reprogramming malignant phenotypes.
• Further research is needed to translate these findings into effective clinical treatments for OSCC.