New frontiers in oral submucous fibrosis: The promise of collagen based interventions

Oral Sub-mucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, progressive and potentially malignant disorder characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the oral mucosa, often leading to significant morbidity and impaired quality of life. The pathogenesis of OSMF is strongly associated with abnormal collagen metabolism, resulting in excessive deposition and reduced degradation of collagen fibres. Traditional therapeutic modalities have shown limited success in reversing the fibrotic changes, underscoring the need for novel treatment approaches. Therefore, it is of interest to explore the emerging role of collagen-based interventions including modulation therapies, enzymatic degradation, and regenerative techniques) which target key molecular pathways to improve functional outcomes and arrest disease progression. The potential of combining collagen- based approaches with regenerative and personalized medicine in the effective management of OSMF is also promising.