Evaluation and Assessment of the Expression of DNA Damage Response – Related Molecules in Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSF) and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) with OSF

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is the most common chronic, progressive and irreversible potentially malignant disorder with high probability of malignant transformation (MT). From a clinical as well as the histological point of view, establishing and understanding the molecular nature of malignant transformation mechanism in OSF is almost important. The majority of genetic alteration caused by exogenous and endogenous mutagens is restored by the cell’s ability by DNA Damage Response (DDR). DDR mechanism dysfunction is one of the leading causes of MT. In OSF, this investigation remains scare.

Objectives: To determine the DDR molecules expression (γΗ2ΑΧ, 53BP1, pChk2 and p53) in subjects with habit of arecanut and tobacco without OSF, OSF and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with OSF and compare and quantify the expression among them.

Methodology: Material and Methods: 90 subjects with 30 individuals in one of the three groups would be included in the given study. Group A: Subjects with habit of arecanut and tobacco without OSF. Group B: Patients with OSF. Group C: Patients having OSCC with OSF. DDR molecule (γΗ2ΑΧ, 53BP1, pChk2 and p53) expression will bequantified by RT-PCR. The expression levels will be analyzed using SPSS software version 17 using one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc comparisons using Tukey’s HSD and Categorial data will be analysed using the chi-squared test.

Expected Results: The OSF lesion prone for development of OSCC, DDR markers (γΗ2ΑΧ, 53BP1, pChk2 and p53) will accumulate before the development of p53 mutation resulting in OSCC

Conclusion: Thus, the present study assess and quantify DDR-related molecules (γΗ2ΑΧ, 53BP1, pChk2 and p53)in OSF patients suggesting the potential benefit in the prevention of OSCC due to early therapeutic exploitation of DDR.