The following is a summary of “New insights into redox-related risk factors and therapeutic targets in oral squamous cell carcinoma,” published in the December 2023 issue of Oncology by Dewenter et, al.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma, often known as OSCC, is the most common kind of oral cancer, accounting for roughly 90% of all instances seen worldwide and resulting in around 350,000 new diagnoses each year. Treatment often consists of curative resection, which is then typically followed by adjuvant radiation therapy or a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Local and lymph node recurrences, in addition to radiation-related problems, continue to be a substantial contributor to the death rate associated with tumors, even though these treatments have been used.

In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a dual function. They are involved in the etiology of the disease by causing oxidative damage to DNA and lipids. Additionally, they can influence signal transduction pathways related to cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. On the other hand, the therapeutic potential of induced oxidative stress for leading to the death of tumor cells is also acknowledged. 

For a study, researchers sought to investigate the complex link between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), focusing on how indicators of disturbed redox homeostasis elucidate possible therapeutic options. Utilizing redox-related techniques in conjunction with traditional therapies may open new doors for improving therapeutic results in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The study highlighted the necessity of knowing and modifying redox pathways to have a better knowledge of the illness’s pathophysiology and generate novel treatment strategies.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1368837523002695