LAUSR

Background An integrated approach for understanding molecular transformation of OSCC, facilitating early detection of invasion and metastasis is sustainable. The workflow, including bioinformatics to predict candidate genes, confirming their presence with proteomics and validation of the same involved in various OSCC pathways, has proven to be a success. Increased knowledge about such molecular markers paves the way to a more individualized cancer treatment aiming for better outcomes and less overtreatment and sequelae. Objective Identification of role and interaction of a panel of candidate biomarkers in early invasion, progression, and metastasis in OSCC using an integrated approach. Methods and Results A preliminary search was primed for candidate genes from various databases. Using jVenn software the correlation among these databases with common genes metastatic in origin were evaluated. Further STRING, Oncomine, and CRN databases were all researched for correlation of our candidate genes. Analysis of archived FFPE blocks used iTRAQ-based mass spectrometry for presence and characteristics of the same. Final validation was completed using immunohistochemistry to establish the outcome. Results of this study expressed a strong communique and interrelationship between these candidate genes. A hypothetical pathway analysis led us to propose an interface for the identified genes in invasion and metastasis in OSCC. Conclusions This paper demonstrates the significance of a panel of molecular biomarkers as a diagnostic tool and its correlation in the progression of OSCC. An insight into the probable association of CAFs and these biomarkers in the evolution and malignant transformation of OSCC further magnifies the molecular-biological spectrum of the OSCC tumor microenvironment.