Salivary micrornas (miRNAs) expression and its implications as biomarkers in oral cancer

Abstract

Oral cancer is a major public health concern in Asian countries, with India alone contributing 34% of the global incidence. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common. Carcinogenesis is a complex process in the development and progression of cancer. Delay in oral cancer diagnosis remains one of the major causes of high morbidity and mortality. Non-invasive methods such as liquid biopsy are being explored as biomarkers in the body fluid of individuals affected by oral cancer. Small non-coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer. This short communication further enlightens the knowledge of miRNA and its implications for oral cancer.