Improving Treatments for Oral Diseases, Head and Neck Cancers, as well as Developing New Technologies

Abstract

Head and neck cancers, encompassing malignancies of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, represent a considerable worldwide health concern, with over 890,000 new cases and 450,000 deaths each year. Notwithstanding progress in conventional therapies like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the outcomes remain inadequate, particularly for recurrences or metastases. This review synthesizes current medicinal and technological breakthroughs aimed at improving clinical outcomes and patient quality of life in oral and head and neck cancers. Molecular profiling has discovered changes in genes like TP53 mutations, EGFR overexpression, and issues with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR system, which assist in developing personalized cancer treatments. Immunotherapy, particularly treatments that focus on PD-1/PD-L1, offers long-lasting results for certain groups of patients identified by specific markers. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems improve targeted therapy by increasing the amount of medicine at tumor sites and reducing side effects in nearby tissues. Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed disease diagnostics, facilitating earlier identification and customized treatment strategies. Liquid biopsies facilitate the early detection of illnesses and their ongoing monitoring. Regenerative medicine employs stem cell treatment, 3D bioprinting, and CRISPR gene editing to restore bodily functions and enhance tumor targeting. Digital health instruments such as wearable biosensors, tele-oncology, and patient reporting systems enhance therapy precision and monitoring.