Abstract

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is known to be the most malignant cancer type amongst other oral cancers with increasing incidence and mortality rates in the past five years. Since the life expectancy for TSCC patients is limited and the current chemo-radiotherapy treatments are not curative, novel biomarkers are urgently needed. As many other solid tumors, TSCC has a heterogeneous cancer cell population, which includes a small subpopulation identified as cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are considered as the driving force for tumor initiation, development, spread, recurrence, and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms of how CSCs are involved in the carcinogenesis are not completely understood, scientists and clinicians aim to utilize those cells as therapeutic tools in fight against different cancer types including TSCC. Here, we reviewed and summarized important findings and the most current literature to shed light on the potential of cancer stem cells markers in TSCC. Possible functions of CSCs biomarkers in TSCC pathogenesis during cancer initiation, progression, invasion or metastasis are also summarized.