Translational mapping of mechanistic and biomarker-driven clinical trials in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) present a major global health burden because of limited progress in early detection and prevention. Understanding the integration of biomarkers and their mechanisms in ongoing clinical trials is critical for advancing precision strategies for oral oncology. A total of 105 interventional clinical trials were identified through a structured search of ClinicalTrials. gov categorized by therapeutic strategies (inflammation, immunomodulation, proliferation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and epigenetic regulation), biomarker application, study phase, and biospecimen type in relation to OSCC and OPMDs. Inflammation, proliferative signaling, and immune checkpoints emerged as the dominant therapeutic foci. A trend toward biomarker-guided interventions and noninvasive biospecimens (saliva, blood) was observed, reflecting a translational shift in early detection and individualized treatment. Clinical research of OSCC and OPMDs is increasingly focused on precision medicine; integration of biomarkers and mechanistic targets offers new opportunities for risk stratification, chemoprevention, and personalized therapy.