The potential of cytokine polymorphisms as biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review

OSCC is a prevalent malignancy with devastating morbidity and mortality, increasing the need for innovative diagnostic strategies. Early and accurate prognosis remains a challenge. Polymorphisms in cytokines, crucial in immune regulation and cancer progression, may influence an individual’s susceptibility to OSCC and aggression. This review investigates the association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and OSCC susceptibility and finding potential biomarkers for OSCC. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases was conducted using relevant keywords. Studies evaluating the association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and OSCC risk, prognosis, and treatment were included. This review included 31 studies across 4 continents, primarily using a case-control design. Majority of the studies came from Asia (21 studies). Most participants were ≥ 45 years old and male. Common risk factors were tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and betel nut chewing. HPV16 infection was also linked to increased risk in some studies. Polymorphisms in TGF-β, IL-6, VEGF, IL-17 A, IL-17 F, IL-1α, IL-8, IL-16 and IL-18 genes were associated with elevated OSCC risk in various studies. Although they are protective, mutations IL-10-1082 A/G, IL-10-819 T/C and IL-10-592 A/C were linked to increased OSCC risk or pre-cancer lesions. While this systematic review highlights the potential of cytokine polymorphisms as biomarkers for OSCC, the evidence is inconclusive due to heterogeneity of findings. Ethnic and geographical differences need to be studied further for optimised personalised therapeutic options. Cytokine polymorphisms have potential as biomarkers for OSCC but have not been fully realised. There is need for further studies in Africa.