Wen-Shou Tan^1,#, Hsuan Kuo^2,#, Chang-Ge Jiang¹, Mei-Han Lu¹, Yi-He Lu¹, Yung-Li Wang¹, Ching-Shuen Wang¹, Thi Thuy Tien Vo³, I-Ta Lee^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070871 - 30 December 2025

Abstract This narrative review examines recent advances in salivary biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of oral cancer with persistently low five-year survival rates due to delayed diagnosis. Saliva has emerged as a noninvasive diagnostic medium capable of reflecting both local tumor activity and systemic physiological changes. Various salivary biomarkers, including microRNAs, cytokines, proteins, metabolites, and exosomes, have been linked to oncogenic signaling pathways involved in tumor progression, immune modulation, and therapeutic resistance. Advances in quantitative polymerase chain reaction, mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing have enabled comprehensive biomarker profiling, while point-of-care detection More >

Yongle Qiu^1,#, Kunshan Li^1,#, Wenjing Wang¹, Wenjuan Zhang², Jilun Liu², Yang Bai³, Fei Xu³, Jie Guo^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069612 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain largely undefined. This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying VM in OSCC. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis was performed utilizing single-cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. ChIP-qPCR was used to validate the binding of ETS transcription factor ELK4 (ELK4) to the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enhancer. In vitro VM formation and invasion of OSCC cells were… More > Graphic Abstract

Li Yu^1,2,3, Xiaoyan Zhang^1,2, Yan Feng^1,4, Xinyue Liao^1,4, Tiejun Zhou⁵, Hang Si^1,4, Yun Feng^1,4, Decai Wang^6,*, Yongxian Lai^1,7,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 2037-2053, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064276 - 18 July 2025

Abstract Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck malignancy with a low five-year survival rate. ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 5 (ABCB5) has been linked to tumorigenesis. However, its role in inducing OSCC remains unclear. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, and immunocytochemistry (ICC) were performed to examine the level of ABCB5 in OSCC (CAL27 and HSC-3) and human oral keratinocyte (HOK). ABCB5 was knocked down in CAL27 cells using ABCB5-specific small interfering RNA (ABCB5 siRNA), and its contribution to migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT),… More >

VINOTHKUMAR VEERASAMY¹, VEERAVARMAL VEERAN², SIDDAVARAM NAGINI^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 1835-1860, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064010 - 18 July 2025

Abstract The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway is one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling networks in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although the tumor microenvironment (TME) and epigenetic modifiers are recognized to play a pivotal role in aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in OSCC, the available evidence is fragmentary and a comprehensive analysis is warranted. This review evaluates the intricate mechanisms by which various components of the TME facilitate proliferation, apoptosis evasion, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, metastasis, as well as therapy resistance in OSCC through activation of PI3K/AKT signalling. The review has also More >

Mei Huang, Zhenyu Zhang, Yuqi Luo, Yuqi Wu, Dan Pan, Yu Zhou^*, Xiaobo Luo, Yuchen Jiang^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.6, pp. 961-980, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062918 - 24 June 2025

Abstract This review explores the pivotal role of circadian rhythm regulators, particularly the PER genes, in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). As key constituents of the biological clock, PERs exhibit a downregulated expression pattern in OSCC, and the expression levels of PERs in OSCC patients are correlated with a favorable prognosis. PERs impact the occurrence and development of OSCC through multiple pathways. In the regulation of cell proliferation, they can function not only through cell cycle regulation but also via metabolic pathways. For example, PER1 can interact with receptors for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) and… More >

Jung-Il Chae^1,#, Ji-Hye Seo^1,#, Goo Yoon², Young-Joo Jeon^3,*, Woo-Keun Kim^4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 647-663, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062137 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Background: Picropodophllotoxin (PPT), a principal component of Podophyllum hexandrum root, demonstrates various beneficial biological activities in multiple cancer types, including antitumor and antiproliferative properties. Despite its known effects, the specific mechanisms by which PPT induces apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells lack full clarification. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the role of PPT in inducing apoptosis in OSCC cells by targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and to investigate the underlying molecular pathways. Methods: Human OSCC cell lines (HN22 and HSC4) were treated with PPT. Cell viability, colony formation, and apoptotic… More >

Chang-Eui Hong¹, Su-Yun Lyu^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.2, pp. 269-288, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.060411 - 28 February 2025

Abstract Objectives: Despite progress in therapeutic interventions, squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) continues to pose a substantial burden on public health, with persistently poor patient outcomes. This investigation examines the growth-inhibitory and mechanistic effects of a plant-derived protein, Viscum album var. coloratum agglutinin (VCA), extracted from Korean mistletoe, against YD38 OSCC cells. Methods: The experimental protocols involved treating YD38 cells derived from human OSCC with escalating doses of VCA. Cell survival rates were quantified through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric analysis. Changes in apoptotic indices and cell cycle distribution were evaluated using flow cytometric techniques. Protein… More >

YONG RAO^1,3,4, XIAO CHEN^5,6, KAIYU LI^1,3,4, MINHAI NIE^1,3,4, XUQIAN LIU^2,3,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.3, pp. 577-590, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.053119 - 28 February 2025

Abstract Decorin (DCN) is primarily found in the connective tissues of various parts of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, bone tissue, aorta, and tendons. It is an important component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and belongs to the class I small leucine-rich proteoglycans family. DCN is increasingly attracting attention due to its significant role in tumors, fibrotic diseases, and the regulation of vascular formation. Moreover, its anti-tumor properties have positioned it as a promising biomarker in the fight against cancer. Numerous studies have confirmed that DCN can exert inhibitory effects in various solid tumors, particularly… More >

SUBHAYAN SUR^1,*, DIMPLE DAVRAY², SOUMYA BASU¹, SUPRIYA KHEUR³, JAYANTA KUMAR PAL¹, SHUCHI NAGAR², AVINASH SANAP³, BHIMAPPA M. RUDAGI³, SAMIR GUPTA⁴

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.10, pp. 1589-1612, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.052120 - 18 September 2024

Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent forms of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) with a poor overall survival rate (about 50%), particularly in cases of metastasis. RNA-based cancer biomarkers are a relatively advanced concept, and non-coding RNAs currently have shown promising roles in the detection and treatment of various malignancies. This review underlines the function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the OSCC and its subsequent clinical implications. LncRNAs, a class of non-coding RNAs, are larger than 200 nucleotides and resemble mRNA in numerous ways. However, unlike mRNA,… More >

XINRU FENG¹, LI XIAO^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.5, pp. 793-801, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.048395 - 06 May 2024

Abstract Background: Galectin 2 (LGALS2) is a protein previously reported to serve as a mediator of disease progression in a range of cancers. The function of LGALS2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), however, has yet to be explored, prompting the present study to address this literature gap. Methods: Overall, 144 paired malignant tumor tissues and paracancerous OSCC patient samples were harvested and the LGALS2 expression levels were examined through qPCR and western immunoblotting. The LGALS2 coding sequence was introduced into the pcDNA3.0 vector, to enable the overexpression of this gene, while an LGALS2-specific shRNA and… More >