The study investigates the long non-coding RNA AFAP1-AS1 and its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), revealing higher expression levels in cancerous tissues compared to normal cells, indicating its potential as a biomarker.
A correlation was found between high levels of AFAP1-AS1 and poor clinical outcomes, including lower survival rates and advanced disease characteristics like differentiation and lymphatic metastasis.
Experimental silencing of AFAP1-AS1 led to reduced cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in OSCC cell lines, suggesting that targeting this lncRNA could be a promising therapeutic strategy for improving patient outcomes.
The study investigates how various factors, including age and treatment history, impact the quality of life and psychological distress in oral cancer patients.
Out of 250 surveyed patients, a significant portion experienced high levels of distress, particularly those who were younger or had undergone more extensive surgeries like jaw resection.
The findings suggest that emotional and physical well-being in these patients is closely linked, with negative correlations between psychological distress and quality-of-life metrics like pain and anxiety.