Molecular markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Insights into the tumor microenvironment, epigenetic regulation, and intercellular communications.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant tumor originating from the oral mucosa, predominantly affecting the tongue, buccal mucosa, and floor of the mouth. This review summarizes recent progress in identifying novel biomarkers for OSCC, with particular focus on components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) involved in immune evasion, matrix remodeling, and angiogenesis. In addition, epigenetic alterations- including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and dysregulated non-coding RNAs-are investigated for their roles in OSCC progression. The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is further demonstrated, as they serve as critical mediators of intercellular communication linking the TME and epigenetic regulatory networks. Moreover, High-throughput technologies, such as single-cell sequencing and mass spectrometry, provide powerful tools to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.