Abstract:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) are significant health problems. Early diagnosis and screening for these diseases is a major clinical goal. Examination of signaling molecules in saliva as indicators in the diagnostic and screening processes is a new strategy, which is still developing and seeking its confirmation. Changes in salivary composition and expression of signaling molecules and other cytokines have been reported in cases of OSCC and OPMD. To define signaling molecules as potential diagnostic, prognostic or predictive factors detailed knowledge of their biological functions is required. There is accumulated data for the basic physiological and biochemical effects of some cytokines and influence of signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT, MAPK and PI3/Akt on apoptosis, cell survival and proliferation. There are reports of relationships between salivary cytokine expression and some clinical and pathohistological features of the OSCC. The importance of some cytokines in oncological cases is still debatable. Some molecules have not been studied in oral carcinoma cases yet.

Keywords: oral squamous cell carcinoma, oral potentially malignant disorders, cytokines, saliva.