Evaluation of the microRNAs profile as molecular marker for the early diagnostic of recurrence in patients with head and neck neoplasms

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a disease with high incidence and mortality. The reoccurrence is common in patients with this diagnosis; however the reoccurrence tends to be identified too late, even before visible lesions appear. This late diagnosis gives rise to more aggressive surgery processes. The discovery of deregulate epigenetic profiles in neoplasm has arisen new paradigms by which molecular mechanisms significantly contribute to carcinogenesis. Epigenetic alterations, especially because of their reversible nature, are considered interesting therapeutic targets against cancer and they also can be used in early prognosis factors. Specific microRNA profiles might predict earlier which patients who present oral squamous cells carcinoma and have been treated previously could be more sensitive to reoccurrences.. Moreover, the project aim is to evaluate the microRNA profile expression in saliva samples, which is considered a potential non-invasive method. (AU)