Evaluation of microRNA Expression Profiles as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Molecular Approach.

Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a leading malignancy with limited early diagnostic markers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their regulatory role in cancer pathogenesis. Objective: To evaluate the expression profiles of miR-21, miR-155, and miR-375 in OSCC and assess their diagnostic and prognostic potential. Materials and Methods: Tissue samples from OSCC patients and healthy controls were analyzed using RT-qPCR for miRNA expression. ROC analysis assessed diagnostic accuracy. Results: miR-21 and miR-155 were significantly upregulated, while miR-375 was downregulated in OSCC tissues. ROC curves showed high diagnostic value: miR-21 (Area under the curve [AUC] = 0.89), miR-155 (AUC = 0.86), and miR-375 (AUC = 0.81). Conclusion: Differential expression of selected miRNAs suggests their potential as reliable biomarkers for early OSCC detection and prognosis. Integrating miRNA profiling may enhance precision diagnostics in oral oncology.