Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic review
Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Circulating tumor DNA could be a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer. Objective The aim of...
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2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Oral Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05898-3 |
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| author | Samrina Mohammad Ihsan Ullah Asif Ali Zainab Jan Benish Aleem Muslim Khan Waqas Naseem |
| author_facet | Samrina Mohammad Ihsan Ullah Asif Ali Zainab Jan Benish Aleem Muslim Khan Waqas Naseem |
| author_sort | Samrina Mohammad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Circulating tumor DNA could be a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer. Objective The aim of this systematic review was to consolidate the existing literature on the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer. Methodology The review protocol followed PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and SCOPUS. Only English-language studies were included, while narrative reviews, HPV-positive OSCC, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, abstracts, and letters to the editor were excluded. Data were extracted on study design, country, sample size, participant characteristics, assessment methods, type of oral cancer and measured outcomes. Risk of bias was evaluated using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results A total of 3,155 records were identified, out of which 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. These comprised eleven cohort studies, one was a case series, two were descriptive studies, and three were case-control studies. The studies primarily addressed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Findings revealed that elevated cfDNA levels are associated with poor prognosis, lymph node metastasis, larger tumor size and advanced disease stages. ctDNA acts as a predictive tool for monitoring cancer progression, treatment response, recurrence risk, and overall survival. Among 12 studies evaluated using NOS, 8 were of good quality, while 4 were fair quality. Conclusion ctDNA and cfDNA exhibit promising prognostic and diagnostic potential for OSCC and HNSCC. Elevated cfDNA levels correlate with poor prognosis, while ctDNA shows potential for monitoring cancer progression and treatment response. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-51685caa895b4dfbbf7c78358218dde2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6831 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-51685caa895b4dfbbf7c78358218dde22025-08-20T03:10:18ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-04-0125111110.1186/s12903-025-05898-3Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic reviewSamrina Mohammad0Ihsan Ullah1Asif Ali2Zainab Jan3Benish Aleem4Muslim Khan5Waqas Naseem6Department of Oral Pathology, Khyber College of DentistryIPDM, Khyber Medical UniversityIPDM, Khyber Medical UniversityInstitute of Radiation and Nuclear Medicine IRNUM HospitalIPDM, Khyber Medical UniversityMaxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of DentistryDepartment of Health Sciences, University of DebrecenAbstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Circulating tumor DNA could be a promising biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer. Objective The aim of this systematic review was to consolidate the existing literature on the role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer. Methodology The review protocol followed PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and SCOPUS. Only English-language studies were included, while narrative reviews, HPV-positive OSCC, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, abstracts, and letters to the editor were excluded. Data were extracted on study design, country, sample size, participant characteristics, assessment methods, type of oral cancer and measured outcomes. Risk of bias was evaluated using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results A total of 3,155 records were identified, out of which 17 studies met the inclusion criteria. These comprised eleven cohort studies, one was a case series, two were descriptive studies, and three were case-control studies. The studies primarily addressed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Findings revealed that elevated cfDNA levels are associated with poor prognosis, lymph node metastasis, larger tumor size and advanced disease stages. ctDNA acts as a predictive tool for monitoring cancer progression, treatment response, recurrence risk, and overall survival. Among 12 studies evaluated using NOS, 8 were of good quality, while 4 were fair quality. Conclusion ctDNA and cfDNA exhibit promising prognostic and diagnostic potential for OSCC and HNSCC. Elevated cfDNA levels correlate with poor prognosis, while ctDNA shows potential for monitoring cancer progression and treatment response.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05898-3Oral squamous cell carcinomaHead and neck cancerPrognosisDiagnosisCtDNACfDNA |
| spellingShingle | Samrina Mohammad Ihsan Ullah Asif Ali Zainab Jan Benish Aleem Muslim Khan Waqas Naseem Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic review BMC Oral Health Oral squamous cell carcinoma Head and neck cancer Prognosis Diagnosis CtDNA CfDNA |
| title | Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic review |
| title_full | Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic review |
| title_short | Role of circulating tumor DNA and cell-free DNA biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer - a systematic review |
| title_sort | role of circulating tumor dna and cell free dna biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of oral cancer a systematic review |
| topic | Oral squamous cell carcinoma Head and neck cancer Prognosis Diagnosis CtDNA CfDNA |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05898-3 |
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