MicroRNA-based biomarkers for oral cancer

Oral cancer (OC) is one of the common cancers in India and the age-adjusted incidence rates of OC in the country are higher. One of the issues concerning OC is the late diagnoses or locally advanced stage of presentation in the majority of the cases. Environmental and lifestyle factors such as tobacco chewing, alcohol consumption, poor oro-dental hygiene, and viruses like human papilloma virus are known to contribute to the development of OC. Furthermore, there are additional risk factors like consumption of betel and areca nut, which are significantly associated with cancers of the oral cavity. OC burden is one of the major health concerns in India, and with unabated use of chewable tobacco consumption in the country, this burden is expected to rise in the future.