DNA methylation biomarkers as an early diagnostic tool in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant global health burden, with early detection being critical for improving outcomes. Aberrant DNA methylation of tumour suppressor genes has emerged as a promising biomarker for early oral carcinogenesis. This study investigates the methylation status of p16, DAPK, and MGMT genes in OSCC, leukoplakia, and adjacent normal tissues. Methods: Tissue samples from 18 patients were collected from a single contiguous field, including clinically normal mucosa, leukoplakia, and OSCC lesions. DNA was extracted and subjected to bisulfite conversion followed by methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR). Methylation patterns were analysed for frequency, statistical association (Chi-square), and diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity). Results: = 0.0021), with 100% sensitivity and 50% specificity. MGMT exhibited consistently high methylation across all stages but low specificity (16.67%), while p16 displayed highest methylation in leukoplakia, suggesting early involvement but limited diagnostic power. Only DAPK demonstrated a significant association with disease progression. Conclusion: Among the three genes studied, DAPK emerged as a reliable biomarker for early OSCC detection. The findings support its integration into methylation-based screening panels, while MGMT and p16 may serve as complementary markers. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate their clinical utility.
Authors: Sharlene Sara Babu, S. Sunil, Yogesh Dalvi, Sudheesh Manoharan, Bichu Jacob, Aditya Menon
Institution: Pushpagiri Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7117372676