Review Advances and applications of oral cancer basic research q Sabrina Daniela da Silva a,b , Alfio Ferlito c , Robert P. Takes d,⇑ , Ruud H. Brakenhoff e , MeV Dominguez Valentin f , Julia A. Woolgar g , Carol R. Bradford h , Juan P. Rodrigo i,j , Alessandra Rinaldo c , Michael P. Hier a , Luiz P. Kowalski b a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada b Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa Hospital do Cancer A.C. Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil c ENT Clinic, University of Udine, Udine, Italy d Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands e Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands f Department of Oncology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden g Oral Pathology, School of Dental Sciences and Dental Hospital, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK h Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA i Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain j Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain article info Article history: Received 19 February 2011 Received in revised form 1 July 2011 Accepted 5 July 2011 Available online xxxx Keywords: Oral cancer Squamous cell carcinoma Molecular biology Cancer research Advances and applications summary Cancer of the oral cavity accounts for almost 3% of cancer cases in the world. The incidence varies widely reflecting geographic differences in exposure to risk factors. The recent rise in younger age groups and females seen in many countries is of particular concern. Treatment and management of complications, locoregional recurrence and further primary tumors result in high morbidity and mortality especially when the disease is advanced stage at initial diagnosis. Progress in cancer research has provided abun- dant new knowledge about cellular processes and molecular biology underlying oral carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The present review attempts to summarize the current most widely-used research approaches and their application in the prevention, diagnosis, effective treatment, and improved outcome of oral cancer. Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Introduction Although the incidence of oral cavity cancer is not well docu- mented since it is unfortunately often grouped with oropharyngeal subsites, it is thought to be the 8th most frequent cancer in the world among males and the 14th among females, 1 accounting for nearly 3% of all cancer cases. 2 Squamous cell carcinoma originating in the mucosal linings accounts for more than 90% of oral cavity cancers. 3,4 The highest incidence rates occur in Pakistan, Brazil, In- dia, and France. 1 The main risk factor for oral cancer is exposure to exogenous carcinogens such as tobacco smoke and alcohol. Annu- ally, it is estimated that 127,459 deaths are caused from oral cavity cancer worldwide, of which 96,720 occur in developing countries. 2 Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by invasive and frequent perineural growth, a considerable rate of early recur- rences, and frequent lymph nodes metastasis. Often these patients develop second primary cancers in the same or adjacent anatomical region. Many patients are advanced-stage at diagnosis and incur sig- nificant morbidity and mortality due to the disease itself and the sub- sequent clinical management with its complications. 5–8 Advances in cancer research have provided abundant new knowledge about cellu- lar processes and molecular biology in OSCC. Our knowledge of carci- nogenesis, identification of biological markers, and molecularly- targeted therapies is advancing through basic research, translational research and clinical trials, and ultimately analysis of factors specific to the individual and their tumor may result in effective ‘‘personalized medicine’’. 9 In the following sections, recent advances and applica- tions of OSCC research and their impact on prevention, diagnosis, effective treatment, and improved prognosis are considered. Research in risk factors for oral cancer OSCC is a multi-causal disease with close interrelationships among etiologic factors. Risk factors include lifestyle habits (tobac- co exposure and alcohol consumption), dietary factors, occupa- tional activity, socioeconomic status, exposure to external agents, 1368-8375/$ - see front matter Ó 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2011.07.004 q This paper was written by members and invitees of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group (http://www.IHNSG.com). ⇑ Corresponding author. Address: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 24 3613508; fax: +31 24 3540251. E-mail address: r.takes@kno.umcn.nl (R.P. Takes). Oral Oncology xxx (2011) xxx–xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Oral Oncology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/oraloncology Please cite this article in press as: da Silva SD et al. Advances and applications of oral cancer basic research. Oral Oncol (2011), doi:10.1016/ j.oraloncology.2011.07.004