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The Role of Chemopreventive Agents in the Management of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Cancer: A Narrative Review.

  • 2026-04-01
  • Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.) 9(4)
    • Lana Sayal
    • Omar Hamadah
    • Eyad Chatty
    • Anas Abdo
    • Sana Aghbari
    • Ali Munasser
    • Amirah Alnour

Study Design

Type
Review
Methods
This review synthesizes current evidence on chemopreventive agents investigated in OPMDs and OSCC. Relevant literature was analyzed focusing on natural compounds, synthetic drugs, and targeted biological therapies, as well as emerging delivery approaches.

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common and aggressive cancer sometimes subsequent to oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Notwithstanding progress in surgical, radiotherapeutic, and chemotherapeutic interventions, survival rates for OSCC continue to be inadequate and are associated with significant functional impairment, underscoring the necessity for preventive and interceptive therapeutic approaches. Chemoprevention has emerged as a viable strategy to inhibit, postpone, or reverse oral carcinogenesis by targeting the molecular and cellular processes implicated in malignant transformation.

Recent findings

This review synthesizes current evidence on chemopreventive agents investigated in OPMDs and OSCC. Relevant literature was analyzed focusing on natural compounds, synthetic drugs, and targeted biological therapies, as well as emerging delivery approaches. Significant emphasis is placed on bioactive phytochemicals such as retinoids, carotenoids (β-carotene and lycopene), curcumin, resveratrol, black raspberries, and vitamin E, alongside synthetic agents including cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies. These drugs demonstrate chemopreventive effects via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment. Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs. Nonetheless, obstacles persist about long-term effectiveness, ideal dose, toxicity, and patient adherence.

Conclusion

Chemopreventive medicines, especially when utilised in combination and through sophisticated delivery systems, signify a prospective adjunct or alternative approach in the care of OPMDs and OSCC, with the capacity to diminish disease burden and enhance patient outcomes.

Research Insights

  • Resveratrol→Reduced Dysplasia

    These drugs demonstrate chemopreventive effects via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment. Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Resveratrol→Reduced Malignant Transformation

    Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Turmeric→Reduced Dysplasia

    These drugs demonstrate chemopreventive effects via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment. Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Turmeric→Reduced Malignant Transformation

    Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Vitamin A→Reduced Dysplasia

    These drugs demonstrate chemopreventive effects via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment. Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Vitamin A→Reduced Malignant Transformation

    Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Vitamin E→Reduced Dysplasia

    These drugs demonstrate chemopreventive effects via modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment. Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Vitamin E→Reduced Malignant Transformation

    Clinical and experimental investigations examined in this review reveal inconsistent, although promising results, including the regression of dysplasia, decreased rates of malignant transformation, and enhanced molecular risk profiles in OPMDs.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate

Adverse Events Reported

  • Vitamin E→Overall tolerability

    obstacles persist about long-term effectiveness, ideal dose, toxicity, and patient adherence

    Finding
    Reported
  • Turmeric→Overall tolerability

    obstacles persist about long-term effectiveness, ideal dose, toxicity, and patient adherence

    Finding
    Reported
  • Resveratrol→Overall tolerability

    obstacles persist about long-term effectiveness, ideal dose, toxicity, and patient adherence

    Finding
    Reported
  • Vitamin A→Overall tolerability

    obstacles persist about long-term effectiveness, ideal dose, toxicity, and patient adherence

    Finding
    Reported
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