Role of Stem Cells and Stem Cell Markers in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Malignant Transformation: A Systematic Review
Piyarathne NS., Nawarathna GS., Wijesingha WJ., Abeyasinghe U., Hettiarachchi PVK.
Meta-analysis with a reported sample of 97, published in Stem Cells Int (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.
Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.
- Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
- Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
- Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
- Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
- Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.
- Study type
- Meta-analysis
- Journal
- Stem Cells Int (2026)
- Reported sample size
- 97
- Source database
- Europe PMC
- PMID
- 41778103
- PMCID
- PMC12951545
- DOI
- 10.1155/sci/9371262
Abstract (original English)
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) have varying risk of malignant transformation (MT), yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent evidence suggest emerging role of stem cells in carcinogenesis. This systematic review aimed to synthesizes current knowledge on the role of stem cells in OPMD and MT. Review protocol was developed in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered with PROSPERO. Literature searches identified 4882 records from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases; from these, n = 97 primary research studies were selected via two stage screening. Data extraction and narrative synthesis was conducted according to synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. Studies included in this review were published between 2006-2025, where majority of the research were from India and China. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to identify stem cell biomarkers in tissue samples, most studies demonstrated that higher expression of stem cell markers (CD44, ALDH1, HELLS, TARIF, SOX2, NANOG, and CD147) correlated with severity of epithelial dysplasia. Longitudinal data identified ALDH1 and Bmi-1 as promising prognostic biomarkers linked to MT. Evidence from cell culture and animal model experiments suggested potential therapeutic applica
What this study does not prove
- • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
Evidence level
Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.
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