Analysis of EGFR signaling pathway; miRNAs and inflammatory biomarkers in a high-risk oral cancer population in Pakistan

Oral cancer has high morbidity rates in the Asian region, specifically Pakistan. However, little insight is available regarding the molecular pathogenesis and inflammatory biomarkers of this preventable cancer. This study determined the association of EGFR, NFκB, COX-2, and miRNAs expression with the chewing habits and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in oral cancer patients.**** Formalin-fixed embedded blocks (FFPPE) (n=50) were analyzed for transcriptional expression of EGFR, NFκB, and COX-2 by qPCR, and COX-2 protein expression was checked by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Array profiling of ~2500 miRNAs was performed on nine samples, and five miRNAs were selected for validation from this profiling data. Appropriate statistical tests were applied to check the association of EGFR., NFκB, COX-2, and miRNAs with chewing and HR-HPV status, (p