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➢ Despite advancements in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment, stable mortality and morbidity rates persist, partly due to challenges in early diagnosis, emphasizing the need for prognostic biomarkers. ➢ Cancer stem cells (CSCs) in OSCC contribute to chemo-radio-resistance and disease progression, making their removal or inhibition a significant therapeutic target. ➢ CD44, a transmembrane glycoprotein, serves as a CSC biomarker and regulates critical signaling pathways involved in cancer growth, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. ➢ Increased CD44 expression is associated with poor prognosis in various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). ➢ Understanding CD44's role in OSCC and conducting standardized trials are essential steps towards verifying its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in oral cancer management.
Jayaraman et al. (Mon,) studied this question.