Biochemical Mechanisms of Pathogenesis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Oral Cavity: Methods of Study of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Microbiome and Molecular Disorders
Keywords:
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Microbiome, ROS, Biomarkers, CarcinogenesisAbstract
Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) remains a significant oncological challenge due to its complex, multifactorial pathogenesis. The biochemical basis of tumor development is strongly associated with oxidative stress, characterized by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and impairment of cellular repair systems. Despite extensive research, an integrative understanding of how oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, microbiome dysbiosis, and molecular signaling pathways interact in OSCC progression remains insufficient. This study aims to systematize key biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying OSCC pathogenesis through analysis of oxidative stress markers, inflammatory mediators, microbiological factors, and signaling pathways. The findings demonstrate that oxidative stress initiates carcinogenic processes, while chronic inflammation mediated by cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α sustains tumor-promoting conditions. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome, particularly increased levels of pathogenic bacteria, enhances inflammatory signaling and ROS production. Concurrent activation of pathways such as JAK/STAT3, NF-κB, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR supports tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and resistance to apoptosis. The results highlight a unified pathogenic chain linking oxidative damage, inflammation, genetic instability, metabolic reprogramming, and tumor progression. These insights emphasize the clinical importance of biochemical markers such as 8-OHdG, VEGF, MMP-9, and lactate for early diagnosis and prognosis. The study suggests that integrated biomarker panels may significantly improve early detection and enable personalized therapeutic strategies in OSCC management.
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