Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) can cause various oral dysfunctions in patients and can turn into oral cancer. The causes and processes of OSF malignant transformation involve betel nut chewing, vascular atrophy, tissue hypoxia, cell cycle changes, aging, autophagy, and changes in cancer/cancer suppressor genes and microRNAs. It is of great significance to study the causes and process of OSF malignant transformation for the treatment and prevention of OSF malignant transformation.

Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) has been extensively studied as a tumor suppressor. In oral squamous cell carcinoma, studies have demonstrated that FOXO1 can inhibit tumor cell oxidative stress, stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and promote tumor cell autophagy and apoptosis. FOXO1 may serve as a potential target for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Compared with the global average, the incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in China is higher, particularly in the southern regions where the mortality rate has remained persistently high. Nimotuzumab, a targeted therapy that acts on the epidermal growth factor receptor, has prompted continuous progress in NPC treatment. The combination of nimotuzumab with traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy can enhance treatment efficacy, reduce adverse reactions, and improve patients’ quality of life. This article summarizes current research findings from this perspective to provide diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for NPC treatment.