Whole-transcriptome analyses identify critical differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs during the process of oral carcinogenesis
Oral carcinogenesis is a multi-step process involving normal mucosa progressing to oral precancerous lesions and finally to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This complex process encompasses various molecules, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). In this study, we performed whole-transcriptome analyses on adjacent normal tissues, oral leukoplakia tissues, and OSCC tissues, with the goal of identifying key differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs associated with different stages of oral carcinogenesis.  In our study, numerous differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs were identified in adjacent normal, oral leukoplakia, and OSCC tissues. Subsequently, we constructed two regulatory competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and identified some potential critical molecules involved in oral carcinogenesis. In conclusion, based on the whole-transcriptome analyses, we mapped the molecular feathers at RNA level during the process of oral carcinogenesis and revealed certain ncRNAs with great research potential. Overall design: In this study, we conducted whole-transcriptome sequencing on OSCC tumors, oral leukoplakia tissues, and adjacent normal tissues to screen for driver genes with significant alterations, desiring to reveal the underlying regulatory mechanism during the process from normal mucosa to oral leukoplakia and finally to OSCC at the transcriptional level.