Expression of miR-21 and its target gene Bcl-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer is the word that is scaring the humanity. With the increase in the consumption of tobacco and related products the incidence of Oral cancer is increasing globally. Late diagnosis, invasion and metastasis are factors that contribute to poor prognosis of oral cancer. Early diagnostic markers and targeted therapy are the need of the hour to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused owing to oral cancer. MicroRNAs are emerging biomarkers for both diagnosis and prognosis of various human cancers. The present study aimed at quantification of microRNA21 (miR-21) and expression of Bcl-2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their paired normal tissues. miR-21 was significantly upregulated in OSCC compared to its paired normals (p< 0.00). Increased expression of Bcl-2 was noted in miR-21 upregulated cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The expression of miR-21 was associated with tobacco use (smoking) and nodal metastasis. Our results suggest that miR-21 is upregulated in the OSCC and controls apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 gene thereby playing a major role in disease progression.