MicroRNAs and their role in the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia: a scoping review

• Published in: Medicina oral, patología oral y cirugía bucal patología oral y cirugía bucal, 2022-01, Vol.27 (1), p.e77-e84
• Main Authors: Niklander, S, Guerra, D, Contreras, F, González-Arriagada, W, Marín, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics; Humans; Leukoplakia, Oral - genetics; MicroRNAs - genetics; Mouth Neoplasms; Prospective Studies; Review
• ISSN: 1698-6946; 1698-4447; 1698-6946
• DOI: 10.4317/medoral.24975

MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and have been associated with malignant transformation of oral epithelial precursor lesions such as oral leukoplakia. The aim was to perform a scoping review of the contemporary literature about the different roles of miRNAs during the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia. We conducted a systematic search with the following MeSH terms: 'oral leukoplakia', 'carcinoma in situ', 'microRNAs', 'mouth neoplasms' and 'epithelial-mesenchymal transition' in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and SpringerLink. Fifteen articles were included for analysis, among which in vivo and in vitro articles were included. A total of 21 different miRNAs were found to be involved in the malignant transformation process of oral leukoplakia. Regarding their possible effects, 6 miRNAs were classified as oncogenic, 5 as tumour suppressors and 10 were related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion and migration. Based on the current review, we concluded that miRNAs-21, 345, 181-b and 31* seem to be potential markers of malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia. However, further clinical prospective studies are needed in order to validate their utility as prognostic biomarkers.