The expression of salivary microRNAs in oral lichen planus: Searching for a prognostic biomarker

Abstract

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a premalignant disease with unknown etiology. It has been demonstrated that inflammation and immune activation play a central role in the pathogenesis of OLP. Various cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of OLP. Studies have shown that 2-7% of OLP patients develop oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). As a result, determining the prognosis of the disease will be promising in preventing oral carcinoma. MicroRNAs are involved in the regulation of cytokine expression and cytokines have a central role in the pathogenesis of OLP. As a result, their evaluation in body fluids may be helpful in assessing the disease's status and progression, and facilitating the treatment process. In this regard, much attention has been paid to the saliva of OLP patients as the sampling is cost-effective and non-invasive. Here, we discuss the potential of miRNAs in predicting the disease severity and progression.

Keywords: Biomarker; MicroRNA; Oral lichen planus; Saliva.