Tissue-based biomarkers of clinical relevance at the invasive tumor front in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this scoping review is to identify the potential tissue-based biomarkers of clinical relevance at the invasive tumor front (ITF) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

INTRODUCTION

OSCCs represent a major global health burden, affecting approximately 400,000 individuals worldwide each year. The ITF plays a critical role in OSCC progression, as tumor cells at the ITF exhibit aggressive phenotypes that contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis. Despite advances in oncology, knowledge regarding ITF-specific biomarkers remains limited. This scoping review aims to map and summarize the available evidence on tissue-based biomarkers at the ITF in OSCC.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies published in any language reporting molecular biomarkers localized at the ITF in tissue samples of OSCCs from various oral subsites of human subjects will be included in the review. In vitro studies carried out in cell lines and animals, and predictive biomarkers in blood and saliva will be excluded.

METHODS

This review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus, CINAHL (Ovid), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source (DOSS), and unpublished studies and gray literature. Data extraction will focus on biomarker types, detection methods, and clinical implications. A narrative synthesis will summarize the findings. This review will provide an evidence-based summary of ITF-specific biomarkers, highlighting their clinical significance in OSCC management.

REVIEW REGISTRATION: OSF osf.io/tqzxp.