Researchers flag protein biomarker for aggressive oral cancer

Investigators at the University of Toronto say that the S100A7 protein can be used to flag precancerous oral lesions, precursors to cancer of the mouth, which is a particularly serious threat in Asia. "We are extremely pleased to have identified a protein which can predict which oral dysplastic lesions will transform. This will be a great tool to find out which patients really need closer follow-up, and in time this will lead to better patient survival," says Paul Walfish, director of the Mount Sinai Hospital's Alex and Simona Shnaider Research Laboratory in Molecular Oncology. Story