SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN ORAL CANCER: A REVIEW

Abstract

Oral cancer is a major health concern as it can cause signicant morbidity and mortality. A dose response relation has been established between oral cancer and tobacco usage. Though tobacco and alcohol have been long associated with the disease, genetic factors also play an important role in its pathogenesis. Various genetic mutations and epigenetic regulations are associated with the etiology of Oral Cancer. The focus of the current review is to emphasize the role of most common genomic variants known as single nucleotide polymorphisms in oral cancer. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms also known as SNPs are precise nucleotide sites in the human genome where in, it is possible to have two or more different nucleotides at a specic position on a chromosome. These are the most common type of variations occurring in the genetic constitution. SNP studies in various populations emphasize association of SNPs with risk predisposition or susceptibility to oral cancer.