Evaluation of microRNA Expression Profiles as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Molecular Approach

Sep 30, 2026

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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major malignancy with limited early diagnostic markers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and can reflect cancer pathogenesis, making them promising biomarker candidates. The study evaluates expression of miR-21, miR-155, and miR-375 in OSCC tissues and healthy controls using RT-qPCR, with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for diagnostic performance. miR-21 and miR-155 are upregulated, miR-375 is downregulated, supporting diagnostic and prognostic potential.

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CategoryHealthcare

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Abstract

Introduction

Methodology

Original Research Evaluation of microRNA Expression Profiles as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Molecular Approach Nishath S. Abdul1, Mahesh Shenoy2, Ganiga C. Shivakumar3, Shubham Patel4, Bhuvan Jyoti5, Sahana Shivakumar6 1Department of OMFSand Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Oral Pathology, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh 11681, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2Department of OMFS and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Oral Pathology, College of Medicine and Dentistry, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 3Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, People’s College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Peoples University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 4Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, People’s College of Dental Sciences and Research Center, Peoples University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 5Dental Surgeon and Consultant‑ Oral Medicine and Radiology, Department of Dental Surgery, Ranchi Institute of Neuro‑Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, 6Department of Public Health Dentistry, People’s College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Peoples University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India Submitted: 08‑Aug‑2025 Abstract Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a leading malignancy with limited early diagnostic markers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their regulatory role in cancer pathogenesis. Objective: To evaluate the expression profiles of miR‑21, miR‑155, and miR‑375 in OSCC and assess their diagnostic and prognostic potential. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples from OSCC patients and healthy controls were analyzed using RT‑qPCR for miRNA expression. ROC analysis assessed diagnostic accuracy. Results: miR‑21 and miR‑155 were significantly upregulated, while miR‑375 was downregulated in OSCC tissues. ROC curves showed high diagnostic value: miR‑21 (Area under the curve [AUC] = 0.89), miR‑155 (AUC = 0.86), and miR‑375 (AUC = 0.81) . Conclusion: Differential expression of selected miRNAs suggests their potential as reliable biomarkers for early OSCC detection and prognosis. Integrating miRNA profiling may enhance precision diagnostics in oral oncology. Keywords: Biomarkers, microRNA, miR‑155, miR‑21, miR‑375, molecular diagnostics, oral squamous cell carcinoma, prognosis, ROC curve Revised: 02‑Sep‑2025 Accepted: 03‑Sep‑2025 Published: 17‑Dec‑2025 | Access this article online | | | --- | --- | | Quick Response Code:
| Website: [https://journals.lww.com/jpbs](https://journals.lww.com/jpbs) | | | DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1422_25 | | Address for correspondence: Dr. Nishath S. Abdul, Department of OMFS and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Oral Pathology, Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh 11681, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
E-mail: [nishathsayed@riyadh.edu.sa](nishathsayed@riyadh.edu.sa) | | --- | | This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.
For reprints [contact:](contact: WKHLRPMedknow_reprints@wolterskluwer.com)[ WKHLRPMedknow_reprints@wolterskluwer.com](contact: WKHLRPMedknow_reprints@wolterskluwer.com) | | How to cite this article: Abdul NS, Shenoy M, Shivakumar GC, Patel S, Jyoti B, Shivakumar S. Evaluation of microRNA expression profiles as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A molecular approach. J Pharm Bioall Sci 2025;17:S3361‑3. | © 2025 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences | Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow S3361 Introduction Oral squamous over 90% of cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes all oral malignancies and is a significant public health concern globally, particularly in South and Southeast Asia due to high tobacco and alco

FAQs

What was the objective of evaluating microRNA expression in OSCC?

To assess miR-21, miR-155, and miR-375 expression profiles in OSCC and determine their diagnostic and prognostic potential.

How were miRNA levels measured in the study?

RT-qPCR was used to analyze miRNA expression in tissue samples from OSCC patients and healthy controls.

What diagnostic performance did the selected miRNAs show?

ROC analysis indicated high diagnostic value, with AUCs of 0.89 for miR-21, 0.86 for miR-155, and 0.81 for miR-375.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by nayy☆