A team of international researchers and scientists from the University of Toronto have identified a protein which can predict the Risk of Oral Cancer in a Specific patient. 
Originally Biomarkers use Specific cells DNA whereas in this case the scientists have used specific cellular proteins for this purpose.
Dr. Paul Walfish from Mount Sinai Hospital, which is affiliated with the university say ” “We are extremely pleased to have identified a protein that can predict which oral dysplastic lesions will transform. This will be a great tool to find out which patient really needs closer follow-up, and in time this will lead to better survival”
How the Biomarker S100A7 works:
S100A7 is a predictive biomarker for premalignant Oral lesions like Leukoplakia, Lichenplanus, Hairy Leukoplakia and other Dysplatic conditions which have a high rate of Malignant transformation.
- In a Study they have conducted in 110 patients:
- Patients with high amount of S100A7 in the cytoplasm have high chances of Malignant Transformation and low life expectancy
- Compared to the patients with no or marginal amounts of S100A7 in their cytoplasm who have less chances of transformation into malignant lesions.
This means that the presence of the biomarker S100A7 in the cytoplasm is a sign of high risk of Malignant transformation of premalignant conditions.
The presence of protein markers in the Epithelial cancers and Breast and Thyroid cancers is also under way by the Scientists.
This post is written on the information acquired from a study of the International Journal of Cancer titled “S100A7 Overexpression is a Predictive Marker for High Risk of Malignant Transformation in Oral Dysplasia,”
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