Capitol News

In the U.S., oral cancer constitutes 3% of all cancers, with approximately 54,000 new cases diagnosed annually, according to the National Institutes of Health’s dental and craniofacial research. Given that oral cancer can spread rapidly, early diagnosis is crucial.

Christopher Contag, director of Michigan State University’s Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering and a professor in the College of Human Medicine, Engineering, and Natural Science, discusses advancements in understanding oral cancer cells that may improve screening and treatment methods.

Current oral cancer screenings are typically performed by dentists who look for red or white patches or sores during routine exams. They also feel inside the cheek and around the gums for lumps or abnormalities and may examine the throat and neck for suspicious lumps. However, significant changes in mouth appearance are subjective and subtle changes can be missed. This limits detection to advanced lesions that are difficult to treat.

Contag explains that while it is known that cancer cells differ from normal cells visually, understanding why individual cancer cells look different has not been fully revealed. His research has shown that a protein called succinate dehydrogenase A (SDHA) alters how a cancer cell acts and looks compared to a normal cell. SDHA causes mouth cancers to be visible under blue light illumination.

"The fact that SDHA can account for changes in overall tumor appearance was a surprise," said Contag.

The use of SDHA as both a marker and potential therapeutic target could enable more definitive early detection and lead to more effective therapies. Observing tissue change in response to therapy using this protein's optical properties could significantly impact how oral cancer is treated and monitored.

Michigan State University continues its mission of advancing public good through extensive research initiatives while providing diverse academic opportunities across more than 400 programs of study.

For more information on MSU news, visit MSUToday or x.com/MSUnews.

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