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The role of MicroRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of oral premalignant disorders

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Abstract

Oral premalignant disorders (OPMDs) are a group of potentially malignant conditions that pose a significant health burden globally. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, have emerged as crucial regulators of gene expression and have been implicated in various biological processes, including carcinogenesis. This review synthesizes existing knowledge to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying OPMDs and to highlight the potential of miRNAs as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Additionally, this review seeks to explore the potential of miRNA-based diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of OPMDs in the current literature on miRNAs in OPMDs, examining their involvement in disease pathogenesis, diagnostic potential, and therapeutic implications. Dysregulated miRNAs can target genes involved in critical cellular processes, such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair, leading to disease progression. Notably, miR-21, miR-31, miR-135b, and miR-486-5p have shown promise as potential biomarkers for early detection of oral premalignant lesions. Furthermore, the paper discusses the therapeutic implications of miRNAs in OPMDs. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of miRNA-targeted therapies, such as miRNA mimics and inhibitors, in suppressing the growth of oral premalignant lesions. Early-phase clinical trials have shown promising results, indicating the potential for personalized treatment approaches. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders and provide insights for the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. However, they pose certain limitations given their intrinsic variability in expression profiles, the need for optimized isolation and detection methods, and potential hurdles in transitioning from preclinical success to clinical applications. Thus, future clinical studies are warranted to fully exploit the potential of miRNAs in the management of OPMDs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India

    J. H. Shazia Fathima

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, 600077, Tamil Nadu, India

    J. H. Shazia Fathima, Selvaraj Jayaraman & Ramya Sekar

  3. Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospitals, MAHER, Alapakkam Main Road, Maduravoyal, Chennai, 600095, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ramya Sekar

  4. School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Nazmul Huda Syed

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The idea for the article was conceptualized by Shazia Fathima J.H. The literature search and data analysis were performed by Shazia Fathima J.H and Nazmul Huda Syed. The article was drafted by Shazia Fathima J.H. and Nazmul Huda Syed. Selvaraj Jayaraman and Ramya Sekar critically revised the work and approved the final draft for submission.

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Correspondence to Nazmul Huda Syed.

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Fathima, J.H.S., Jayaraman, S., Sekar, R. et al. The role of MicroRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of oral premalignant disorders. Odontology (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-024-00934-0

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