Tumor suppressor gene mutations trigger immune activation in early oral cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) frequently develops in the oral and upper aerodigestive regions following chronic exposure to mutagenic factors such as tobacco, alcohol and betel nut. Alterations in the tumor suppressor genes TP53 and CDKN2A are among the most common genetic changes in HNSCC and often occur together in the same tumor. However, the consequences of these combined alterations during the early stages of oral carcinogenesis remain poorly understood.

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