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Volume 62
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10.3390/medicina62071247
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Review

Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review

by
Cǎtǎlina Ionescu
1,2,
Ecaterina Tomaziu-Todosia Anton
3,4,*,
Viorica Rarinca
1,2,5,
Malina Visternicu
1,2,
Alin Ciobîcă
2,6,7,8,
Bogdan Novac
3,*,
Daniela Tomița
9 and
Mihai Hogas
3
1
Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, 700505 Iași, Romania
2
“Ioan Haulica” Institute, Apollonia University, 700511 Iasi, Romania
3
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Street, No. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
4
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology Cuza Voda, Cuza Voda Street, No. 34, 700038 Iasi, Romania
5
Doctoral School of Geosciences, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Carol I Avenue, No 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
6
Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, 700505 Iasi, Romania
7
“Olga Necrasov” Center, Department of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, 700506 Iasi, Romania
8
Academy of Romanian Scientists, 050566 Bucharest, Romania
9
Clinical Department, Apollonia University, Pãcurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Medicina 2026, 62(7), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071247
Submission received: 29 April 2026 / Revised: 23 June 2026 / Accepted: 26 June 2026 / Published: 28 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Genetics and Molecular Medicine)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common form of oral cancer, accounting for over 90% of malignancies in the oral cavity. Its pathogenesis is driven by a complex interplay of genetic alterations, transcriptomic dysregulation, epigenetic modifications, environmental exposures, and tumor microenvironment dynamics. Despite advances in therapy, OSCC remains associated with poor survival due to late diagnosis, therapeutic resistance, and tumor heterogeneity. This narrative review explores genetic determinants and molecular mechanisms underlying OSCC, focusing on recurrent mutations, deregulated pathways, epigenetic control, gene expression changes, insights from cell models, and potential biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy. We integrate findings from the recent literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and emerging trends in OSCC genetics.
Keywords: genetics; OSCC; molecular mechanisms; oral squamous-cell carcinoma genetics; OSCC; molecular mechanisms; oral squamous-cell carcinoma

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Ionescu, C.; Anton, E.T.-T.; Rarinca, V.; Visternicu, M.; Ciobîcă, A.; Novac, B.; Tomița, D.; Hogas, M. Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review. Medicina 2026, 62, 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071247

AMA Style

Ionescu C, Anton ET-T, Rarinca V, Visternicu M, Ciobîcă A, Novac B, Tomița D, Hogas M. Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review. Medicina. 2026; 62(7):1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071247

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ionescu, Cǎtǎlina, Ecaterina Tomaziu-Todosia Anton, Viorica Rarinca, Malina Visternicu, Alin Ciobîcă, Bogdan Novac, Daniela Tomița, and Mihai Hogas. 2026. "Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review" Medicina 62, no. 7: 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071247

APA Style

Ionescu, C., Anton, E. T.-T., Rarinca, V., Visternicu, M., Ciobîcă, A., Novac, B., Tomița, D., & Hogas, M. (2026). Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review. Medicina, 62(7), 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071247

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