A Systematic Review on the Role of Desmoglein 1 and Desmoglein 3 in Etiopathogenesis and Metastasis of Oral Cancer

Abstract

Background: Desmosomal proteins have a fundamental role in cellular adhesion as they not only maintain cellular homeostasis but also regulate cellular activities like proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Desmosomal protein expression, namely desmoglein 1 (DSG 1) and desmoglein 3 (DSG 3), is known to play a crucial role in several types of cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Objectives: The over- or underexpression of DSG 1 and DSG 3 can lead to alterations in oral epithelial cell-to-cell adhesion and plays a critical role in oral carcinogenesis and its metastasis. Methods: The initial online database search in Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Medline between January 2003 and December 2023 along with a hand search of articles published up to March 2024, yielded 40 articles, and after further scrutiny, 15 articles fulfilled the final inclusion criteria. Results: The role of DSG 1 and DSG 3 in OSCC is not ascertained in the initiation of the disease; however, the expression of DSG 3 in metastatic lymph nodes has shown that it can be considered as a probable marker for distant metastasis. Conclusion: The exact role of DSG 1 and DSG 3 in OSCC needs further studies to exactly pinpoint their roles in oral cancer initiation, progression, and distant metastasis.

Keywords

• desmoglein 1
• desmoglein 3
• metastasis
• oral cancer
• oral squamous cell carcinoma