Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is a significant global health burden owing to its late-stage diagnosis and poor prognosis. Recent advancements in molecular biology, genomics, and imaging have transformed the landscape of OSCC diagnosis and treatment. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of early molecular diagnostic strategies, including biomarker discovery using next-generation sequencing, liquid biopsy, and salivary exosomal microRNAs. In addition, we highlight the emerging role of non-invasive optical imaging technologies and their clinical integration for improved surgical precision and early lesion detection. This review also discusses evolving therapeutic approaches, including immunotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and patient-centered multimodal regimens tailored through molecular profiling. We emphasized balancing therapeutic efficacy with the quality of life in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. The convergence of multi-omics, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine holds promise for revolutionizing early detection and personalized treatment of OSCC, ultimately improving patient survival and clinical outcomes.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent and aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, largely due to its high metastatic potential and resistance to conventional therapies. Recent advances in cancer biology have underscored the significance of regulated cell death pathways, including apoptosis, autophagic cell death (ACD), necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, in modulating tumor progression and therapeutic responses. This review provides the current insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these cell death pathways and explores their therapeutic relevance in OSCC. Restoration of apoptosis using BH3 mimetics, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor agonists, and p53 reactivators shows promise for sensitizing OSCC cells to treatment. Autophagy plays context-dependent roles in cancer, acting as a tumor suppressor during early carcinogenesis by maintaining cellular homeostasis, and as a tumor promoter in established tumors by supporting cancer cell survival under stress. Targeting necroptosis and pyroptosis has emerged as a novel strategy for inducing cancer cell death, with compounds such as acetylshikonin and okanin demonstrating antitumor effects. Additionally, the induction of ferroptosis via lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inhibition offers a promising avenue for overcoming drug resistance, with agents such as quercetin and trifluoperazine exhibiting preclinical success. Integration of these therapeutic approaches may enhance the OSCC treatment efficacy, reduce chemoresistance, and provide novel prognostic biomarkers for clinical management. Future studies should focus on optimizing combinatorial strategies that effectively leverage these pathways to improve OSCC patient outcomes.

Context: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health issue, characterized by its progressive nature and the limited effectiveness of conventional treatments. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used for centuries in East Asia to manage CKD by targeting key pathological processes. This review focuses on synthesizing evidence from various studies to explore the potential role of CHM in managing CKD, particularly through classical formulations, individual herbs, and their bioactive compounds with known nephroprotective effects. Evidence Acquisition: The review synthesizes evidence from preclinical studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and meta-analyses to assess the effectiveness of CHM in CKD management. It highlights the use of classical CHM formulations like Liuwei Dihuang decoction, Zhenwu decoction, Shen-Qi-Wan (SQW), and Yu-Quan Wan (YQW), which are based on CHM theory and syndrome differentiation. Additionally, individual herbs such as Astragalus membranaceus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Rheum officinale, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), and Cordyceps sinensis are discussed for their nephroprotective bioactive compounds that provide multi-targeted effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory actions. Results: Integration of CHM with standard therapy has shown promising results in improving renal function and reducing proteinuria, especially in patients with CKD and IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Evidence supports the multi-mechanistic actions of CHM, including the potential for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects to positively impact CKD progression. Conclusions: Despite the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic value of CHM in CKD management, challenges still exist, such as the standardization of herbal preparations, ensuring safety, and gaining regulatory approval. For CHM to be more broadly integrated into evidence-based nephrology practice, further high-quality clinical research and harmonization of regulatory frameworks will be crucial. Overall, CHM offers a complementary approach to CKD treatment that aligns with classical principles and multi-targeted actions, contributing to a broader global strategy for CKD management.