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Role of epigenetics in OSCC: an understanding above genetics

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Abstract

Oral cavity cancer is categorized under head and neck cancer that frequently develops from squamous cells hence also known as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although molecular markers for oral cavity cancer are already known, epigenetic signatures for the same haven’t been explored much. Epigenetic and genetic alterations were initially thought to be discrete mechanisms driving the tumour but the whole exome sequencing of various cancers has revealed the interdependency of epigenetics and genetic alterations. The reversible nature of these epigenetic changes makes them an alluring target for cancer therapeutics. The primary epigenetic alterations in cancer include DNA methylation and histone modifications. These alterations are useful for patient early detection and prognostication. This review summarizes the epigenetic perspective to understand the etiology, epigenetic biomarkers, and epi-drugs for better predictive diagnosis and treatment of OSCC.

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Abbreviations

OSCC:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma

TSG:

Tumour suppressor gene

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM), Gandhinagar, Gujarat for the grant allocated to Dr. Amit Mandoli for research work on oral cancer and supporting Dr. Vinal Upadhaya who is a Research Associate in the project. Authors would also like to acknowledge the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, India, for supporting research on cancer at NIPER- Ahmedabad. We apologize to those whose work has not been included because of space constraints.

Funding

This work is supported by Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) [Grant Number- GSBTM/JD(R&amp;D)/618/21–22/1222].

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, NIPER-Ahmedabad, Opposite Air Force Station, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India

    Priyanka P. Vatsa, Yogita Jindal, Janhavi Bhadwalkar, Ambika Chamoli, Vinal Upadhyay & Amit Mandoli

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  1. Priyanka P. Vatsa
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  2. Yogita Jindal
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Contributions

AM completed the manuscript’s initial conceptualization and decision on topics. Writing of original draft was performed by PPV, YJ, JB and AC. PPV, AC, VU and AM reviewed and edited the draft. PPV and YJ, prepared all the figures and tables. All the authors further revised the final version of the manuscript. All the authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Amit Mandoli.

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Vatsa, P.P., Jindal, Y., Bhadwalkar, J. et al. Role of epigenetics in OSCC: an understanding above genetics. Med Oncol 40, 122 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-023-01992-0

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