Oral Cancer: Genetics and the Role of Precision Medicine

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2020 Jan;29(1):127-144. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2019.08.010.

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the leading cancers in the world. OSCC patients are managed with surgery and/or chemoradiation. Prognoses and survival rates are dismal, however, and have not improved for more than 20 years. Recently, the concept of precision medicine was introduced, and the introduction of targeted therapeutics demonstrated promising outcomes. This article reviews the current understanding of initiation, progression, and metastasis of OSCC from both genetic and epigenetic perspectives. In addition, the applications and integration of omics technologies in biomarker discovery and drug development for treating OSCC are reviewed.

Keywords: Big data; Epigenetics; Malignant transformation; Omics technology; Oral cancer; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Personalized medicine; Precision medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pharmacogenetics / methods*
  • Precision Medicine / methods
  • Precision Medicine / trends*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor