Biomarkers for assessing disease progression and treatment outcomes of oral submucous fibrosis

Biomarkers for assessing disease progression and treatment outcomes of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) have gained significant attention in recent years. This review provides an overview of the current research on biomarkers in OSMF and their potential implications in clinical practice. The review focuses on the different categories of biomarkers that have shown promise in assessing disease progression and treatment outcomes in OSMF. Epithelial dysplasia markers, including Ki-67, p53, and cyclin D1, are discussed in relation to dysplastic changes observed in OSMF. Inflammatory and immune markers, such as cytokines, chemokines, and inflammatory mediators, are explored for their role in OSMF progression. The dysregulation of extracellular matrix remodelling is highlighted, with a discussion on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) as potential biomarkers. Furthermore, the review delves into biomarkers for treatment response and outcome prediction. Collagen turnover markers, including pro-collagen type I and MMPs, are examined as indicators of collagen synthesis and degradation. Oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), are evaluated for their ability to reflect oxidative stress and antioxidant status. The review also touches upon the potential of epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, in predicting treatment response and prognosis in OSMF. Additionally, the review explores the use of imaging techniques, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), autofluorescence imaging, and confocal microscopy, for assessing structural changes and biomarker expression in OSMF. It discusses the potential of molecular imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and molecular MRI, for visualizing specific biomarkers in OSMF. Moreover, the review highlights the importance of genomics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, in identifying novel biomarkers and unraveling molecular pathways in OSMF. We emphasize the potential of biomarkers in improving patient care and management in OSMF. It acknowledges the challenges in biomarker validation, standardization, and cost-effectiveness for widespread clinical use. The review calls for further research in emerging areas, such as non-coding RNAs, microRNA panels, and multi-modal biomarker approaches, to enhance our understanding of OSMF and facilitate personalized treatment strategies.