Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the development, progression, and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The TME comprises various cellular and acellular components, including immune cells, stromal cells, cytokines, extracellular matrix, and the oral microbiome,...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Laertty Garcia de Sousa Cabral Isabela Mancini Martins Ellen Paim de Abreu Paulo Karina Torres Pomini Jean-Luc Poyet Durvanei Augusto Maria |
| author_facet | Laertty Garcia de Sousa Cabral Isabela Mancini Martins Ellen Paim de Abreu Paulo Karina Torres Pomini Jean-Luc Poyet Durvanei Augusto Maria |
| author_sort | Laertty Garcia de Sousa Cabral |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the development, progression, and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The TME comprises various cellular and acellular components, including immune cells, stromal cells, cytokines, extracellular matrix, and the oral microbiome, all of which dynamically interact with tumor cells to influence their behavior. Immunosuppression is a key feature of the OSCC TME, with regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contributing to an environment that allows tumor cells to evade immune surveillance and supports angiogenesis. The oral microbiome also plays a pivotal role in OSCC pathogenesis, as dysbiosis, or imbalances in the microbiota, can lead to chronic inflammation, which promotes carcinogenesis through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pathogens like <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> and <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> have, hence, been implicated in OSCC-driven tumor progression, as they induce inflammation, activate oncogenic pathways, and modulate immune responses. In this review, we discuss how the interplay between immunosuppression and microbiome-driven inflammation creates a tumor-promoting environment in OSCC, leading to treatment resistance and poor patient outcomes, and explore the potential therapeutic implication of a better understanding of OSCC etiology and molecular changes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-010ec27a7fc04745b02bcb3e386578d5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-010ec27a7fc04745b02bcb3e386578d52025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-04-0115562110.3390/biom15050621Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature ReviewLaertty Garcia de Sousa Cabral0Isabela Mancini Martins1Ellen Paim de Abreu Paulo2Karina Torres Pomini3Jean-Luc Poyet4Durvanei Augusto Maria5Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP), Sao Paulo 05508-220, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Development and Innovation, Butantan Institute, Sao Paulo 05585-000, SP, BrazilFaculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP), Sao Paulo 05508-220, SP, BrazilDepartment of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Marília 17525-902, SP, BrazilINSERM UMRS1342—CNRS EMR8000, Institut De Recherche Saint-Louis, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 75010 Paris, FranceFaculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP), Sao Paulo 05508-220, SP, BrazilThe tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the development, progression, and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The TME comprises various cellular and acellular components, including immune cells, stromal cells, cytokines, extracellular matrix, and the oral microbiome, all of which dynamically interact with tumor cells to influence their behavior. Immunosuppression is a key feature of the OSCC TME, with regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contributing to an environment that allows tumor cells to evade immune surveillance and supports angiogenesis. The oral microbiome also plays a pivotal role in OSCC pathogenesis, as dysbiosis, or imbalances in the microbiota, can lead to chronic inflammation, which promotes carcinogenesis through the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pathogens like <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> and <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> have, hence, been implicated in OSCC-driven tumor progression, as they induce inflammation, activate oncogenic pathways, and modulate immune responses. In this review, we discuss how the interplay between immunosuppression and microbiome-driven inflammation creates a tumor-promoting environment in OSCC, leading to treatment resistance and poor patient outcomes, and explore the potential therapeutic implication of a better understanding of OSCC etiology and molecular changes.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/621oral squamous cell carcinomatumor microenvironmenttargeted therapies |
| spellingShingle | Laertty Garcia de Sousa Cabral Isabela Mancini Martins Ellen Paim de Abreu Paulo Karina Torres Pomini Jean-Luc Poyet Durvanei Augusto Maria Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review Biomolecules oral squamous cell carcinoma tumor microenvironment targeted therapies |
| title | Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review |
| title_full | Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review |
| title_short | Molecular Mechanisms in the Carcinogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review |
| title_sort | molecular mechanisms in the carcinogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma a literature review |
| topic | oral squamous cell carcinoma tumor microenvironment targeted therapies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/5/621 |
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