Advent of Single Tumor Cell Analysis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma – An Insight

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma OSCC has a complex portfolio comprised of genetic and epigenetic instability. Gene expression studies are necessary for molecular typing of oral cancer. The conventional studies on gene expression obtained from whole cell populations average the differences between individual cells. The evolving tools and techniques using single tumor cell analysis STCA allows identification and analysis of individual cell type within a system and enables better characterization of cancer and for prognostication. The present paper intends to highlight the available evidence on STCA in OSCC. STCA has been carried out in carcinomas of the breast prostate pancreas colon and lung. However much needs to be explored in the region of head and neck especially OSCC. STCA enables better understanding of tumor heterogeneity and its microenvironment. Further it helps in identification and detection of cancer stem cells and circulating tumor cells. STCA has been remarkable in understanding clonal evolution of cancer stem cells tumor specific neo-antigens and evaluation of drug resistance mechanisms. Few limitations of STCA could be artefactual errors procedural difficulties and such others. STCA when combined with other technologies could facilitate the integration of multidimensional datasets having a significant impact in the analysis of risk stratification diagnosis and treatment of patients with OSCC worldwide.