Key signaling pathways and targeted therapeutic strategies in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a review

OSCC (Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma) is a prevalent head and neck malignancy, accounting for about 90% of oral cancers. According to the GCO (Global Cancer Observatory), the incidence of OSCC will increase by approximately 40% by 2040. OSCC may cause disfigurement and functional impairments, including difficulties with swallowing, speech, and taste, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and even causing death. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms and developing more effective treatments for OSCC are important. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of key signaling pathways in OSCC, such as EGFR pathway, PI3K/AKT pathway, Wnt pathway, JAK/STAT pathway, MET pathway, MAPK pathway, PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, Hippo pathway, EMT pathway, and so on. It emphasizes their composition, the molecules involved in their regulation, inhibitory signals that inactivate OSCC, clinical studies, and targeted therapies associated with these signal pathways. We highlight targeted therapies such as cetuximab, gefitinib, and nivolumab for their therapeutic potential in treating OSCC. Overall, understanding these interconnected signaling networks can accelerate the development of more effective and personalized therapies for OSCC.