Deciphering the Role of Jumonji and at Rich Interacting Domain2 JARID2 in Modulating Enhancer of Zeste Homolog2 EZH2 in the Progression and Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and can metastasize. Oral cancer, a subset of head and neck malignancies, arises from the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal epithelial cells within the oral cavity. It commonly affects the squamous cells lining the lips, tongue, gingiva, buccal mucosa, and oropharyngeal region. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant neoplasm arising from the stratified squamous epithelium of the oral mucosa, which represents the most prevalent form of oral cancer, affecting the tongue, floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, and gingiva. The onset of OSCC is influenced by various factors, primarily prolonged tobacco exposure, heavy alcohol use, infection with high-risk HPV strains, and genetic alterations in tumor suppressor genes such as TP53. Clinically, OSCC manifests as persistent ulcers, firm lesions, red or white patches (erythroplakia or leukoplakia), or unexplained oral pain and difficulty swallowing. It is diagnosed through histopathological examinations and immunohistochemical markers. At the same time, treatment involves a multimodal approach comprising surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted molecular therapies, depending on the tumor stage and metastatic potential. Early detection has been proven to improve prognosis and survival rates significantly. Recently, epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, play a crucial role in OSCC detection by serving as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis. The epigenetic modifications regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence newline