Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common form of oral cancer, arises primarily due to tobacco, alcohol, and microbial dysbiosis, progressing through histopathological stages from dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. Despite advancements in conventional treatments, the five-year survival rate remains around 50%, largely due to delayed diagnosis and invasive monitoring techniques. Current diagnostic challenges stem from lesion heterogeneity and the invasive nature of biopsies, highlighting the need for non-invasive alternatives. Salivary omics encompassing genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and microbiomics offers a promising, patient-friendly diagnostic tool. These molecular insights, particularly through exosome-derived biomarkers in saliva, may revolutionize early detection and personalized management of OSCC.