The frequent co-expression of the oncogenes PIK3CA and PAK1 in oral carcinomas.

PIK3CA and PAK1 are critical genes in the PI3K/AKT/PAK pathway. Amplification and strong expression of PIK3CA and PAK1 were identified in around 50% and 88% oral carcinomas, respectively, while co-expression of PIK3CA and PAK1 together was found to be present in 80% of oral carcinomas. PIK3CA and PAK1 amplification was more obvious in recurrent tumors than their primary counterparts.

Areca nut extract induced oxidative stress and upregulated hypoxia inducing factor leading to autophagy in oral cancer cells.

Areca (betel) chewing was tightly linked to oral tumorigenesis in Asians. Areca nut was a recently confirmed group I carcinogen and a popular addictive substance used by Asians. Meanwhile, the pathogenetic impact of areca on oral epithelial cells was still unclear.