Decoding salivary gland tumor complexities through omics integration: A systematic analysis across the 21st century

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are rare and complex neoplasms.
• Conventional analyses offer limited insights into SGTs' mechanisms and treatment vulnerabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review multi-omics integration studies in human SGTs.
• To assess the impact of multi-omics on understanding SGTs and identify research gaps.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies (2001-2026) using at least two omics layers for SGTs.
• Included 78 studies, predominantly focusing on malignant SGTs like adenoid cystic carcinoma.
• Commonly integrated genomics and transcriptomics, validated with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Main Results:

• Multi-omics studies have improved molecular classification and identified prognostic subgroups in SGTs.
• These studies have generated validated in vitro/in vivo models and revealed actionable molecular vulnerabilities.
• Genomic and transcriptomic integration was the most frequent approach.

Conclusions:

• Multi-omics integration has significantly advanced SGT research, revealing key molecular insights.
• Clinical translation of multi-omics findings into precision medicine for SGTs is currently limited.
• Future research should focus on prospective, clinically integrated, and functionally validated multi-omics studies.