Mechanistic insights into the role of oral microbiome in the malignant transformation of oral lichen planus to oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a common oral potentially malignant disorder, and its transformation into Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) has become a research focus. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the role of the oral microbiome in tumor initiation and progression. Studies have shown that dysbiosis of the oral microbiome may contribute to and accelerate the malignant transformation of OLP to OSCC through multiple mechanisms, including the induction of inflammatory responses, disruption of immune regulation, promotion of oxidative stress, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This review summarizes recent advances in research on the characteristic changes in the oral microbiome and associated molecular mechanisms during the malignant transformation of OLP, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and scientific support for early warning and microecological-targeted interventions in OLP malignancy.