FAP promotes progression of oral leukoplakia via activation of PI3K/AKT pathway by interacting with ITGB1

This study highlights the critical involvement of FAP in the malignant transformation of OLK, offering new theoretical foundations for early diagnosis and targeted intervention. The expression level of FAP is positively correlated with the degree of OLK dysplasia, indicating its potential utility as a biomarker for evaluating malignant transformation risk. Moreover, therapeutic approaches targeting FAP or the ITGB1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may delay or prevent the progression of OLK to OSCC, presenting promising avenues for the development of precision medicine strategies in clinical practice.