Osteopontin expression in oral potentially malignant disorders and squamous cell carcinoma: association with early invasion but not with dysplastic grade

Key Points

• Osteopontin overexpression at invasion fronts indicates a significant role in early invasion, not linked to dysplastic grade.
• The analysis contrasts osteopontin expression at OSCC invasion fronts with adjacent tissue, highlighting differences in behavior.
• Observational analysis focused on oral potentially malignant disorders and squamous cell carcinoma at early invasion stages.
• Findings suggest osteopontin could aid in identifying lesions with aggressive behavior, but further studies are necessary.