CONNECT WITH US
HealthTech

HealthTech

Tumor suppressor gene mutations trigger immune activation in early oral cancer

Medical Xpress logo

Published on

Add as a preferred source on Google
Tumor suppressor gene mutations trigger immune activation in early oral cancer

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) frequently develops in the oral and upper aerodigestive regions following chronic exposure to mutagenic factors such as tobacco, alcohol and betel nut. Alterations in the tumor suppressor genes TP53 and CDKN2A are among the most common genetic changes in HNSCC and often occur together in the same tumor. However, the consequences of these combined alterations during the early stages of oral carcinogenesis remain poorly understood.

To better understand this, a research team comprising Ph.D. student Zichao Lu, associate professor Yasuhiro Mouri and professor Yasusei Kudo from the Department of Oral Bioscience, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan, and the Institute of Photonics Human Health Frontier, Tokushima University, investigated how different combinations of TP53 and CDKN2A alterations influence oral carcinogenesis and the surrounding immune microenvironment.

Their findings were made available online on Aug. 15, 2026, and published in volume 45 of the journal Oncogene on Oct. 20, 2026.

The researchers were motivated by limitations in conventional mouse models of oral cancer. Although TP53 and CDKN2A are frequently altered together in human HNSCC, conventional mouse models in which both genes are completely inactivated have not adequately reproduced oral carcinogenesis. Moreover, the functions of these genes are not always completely lost in human tumors, as partial activity may remain depending on the type and combination of mutations. The team therefore aimed to develop a model that more closely reflects these genetic conditions in human HNSCC.


Source link
Related Topics:HealthTech

Disclaimer

We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards in all of our reporting and coverage. We TheMorningPulse.fyi want to be transparent with our readers about any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work. It's possible that some of the investors we feature may have connections to other businesses, including competitors or companies we write about. However, we want to assure our readers that this will not have any impact on the integrity or impartiality of our reporting. We are committed to delivering accurate, unbiased news and information to our audience, and we will continue to uphold our ethics and principles in all of our work. Thank you for your trust and support.