Personalised Precision Medicine - A Novel Approach for Oral Cancer Management

Abstract

Oral Cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the head and neck region. Despite technological advancements and improvements in Oral cancer diagnosis and treatment modalities, the 5-year survival rate remains low and is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality rate especially when detected at a later stage. The empirical therapy followed for the treatment of oral cancer includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The treatments are not equally efficacious for all patients, are associated with side effects and poor prognosis. The need of the hour is early diagnosis and tailored treatment therapies for individual patients. With the advent of immunotherapy, the cancer treatment has moved toward personalised precision medicine which tailors’ treatments to each individual. Personalised precision medicine incorporates, molecular profiling of tumours with OMICS technology, biomarkers and companion diagnostics to build databases of patients and devise tailor made treatment approaches for individual patients. This article discusses the role of precision medicine in OSCC prevention, detection, and management by reviewing our understanding of OC from both genetic and OMICS perspectives.