Advances in MAPK pathway-targeted therapy for ameloblastoma: A literature review

Ameloblastoma (AM) is an odontogenic benign tumor with local invasiveness and high recurrence rate. Currently, surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment; however, high postoperative recurrence rates and the need for multiple surgeries often result in facial deformity and psychological distress. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore effective non-surgical treatment methods with few side effects. In recent years, studies have found that the abnormal activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, especially the BRAF V600E mutation, is closely related to the occurrence, progression and prognosis of ameloblastoma, and has become a key target for treatment. As an emerging non-surgical strategy, targeted therapy has shown significant therapeutic potential by inhibiting abnormally activated signaling pathways. This article focuses on the molecular pathogenesis related to the MAPK signaling pathway and the progress of targeted therapy, and comprehensively reviews the mutation sites in ameloblastoma and the corresponding targeted drugs, aiming to provide references for clinical treatment, form a three-dimensional matching system of "mutant gene - drug target - clinical effect", so as to provide new therapeutic ideas and methods for clinical practice and improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients.