Cancer stem cells and their molecular signaling mechanisms in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (Review)

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains a significant clinical challenge, owing to its high prevalence and poor prognosis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) serve a critical role in driving the initiation and progression of TSCC. The present review examined the unique characteristics and functional dynamics of CSCs in TSCC, with particular emphasis on the molecular signaling pathways that regulate their behavior. Key pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, Notch and Hedgehog signaling pathways, are explored to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying TSCC. The present study was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews. Articles were sourced from PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) using the search terms 'tongue squamous cell carcinoma', 'cancer stem cells', 'molecular signaling', 'Wnt/β-catenin', 'Notch', 'Hotch' and 'Hedgehog', covering the period from January 2001 to October 2025. The review was limited to papers published in English. A total of 437 studies was retrieved. Excluding those studies are not closely related to the topic, 138 were reviewed in detail for their originality and relevance to the broader scope of the present review. By mapping these key signaling networks, the present review aimed to provide a strong foundation for the development of precision therapeutic strategies targeting TSCC.