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Review Open Access

Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Yun Bai
    • Danhua Ma
    • Xi Yang
    • Min Wang
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Stomatology, Wangjiang Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P.R. China, Department of Stomatology, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China, Department of Endodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400015, P.R. China
    Copyright: © Bai et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 245
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    Published online on: July 2, 2026
       https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2026.13955
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Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) poses a significant clinical challenge due to its high recurrence rate, resistance to treatment and the functional morbidity associated with current therapies. Although proteolysis‑targeting chimeras (PROTACs) have emerged as a promising oncological platform, their application in oral cancer remains in the early stages, largely supported by preclinical data. The present review reconsiders PROTAC development from an OSCC‑specific perspective, rather than a generalized cross‑cancer framework. Key findings directly relevant to OSCC/head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are highlighted, distinguishing them from hypotheses extrapolated from other solid tumors. Biologically validated candidate targets for protein degradation are summarized, and delivery strategies are evaluated for their translational relevance to the oral cavity. Local transmucosal delivery, stimuli‑responsive activation and microneedle‑assisted locoregional administration are particularly promising for OSCC, as these approaches may enhance local selectivity while minimizing systemic exposure. This review also assesses the current clinical validation of the degrader platform in other malignancies, noting that these results should be interpreted as platform‑level evidence, not as oral cancer‑specific conclusions. Finally, major barriers to translation in OSCC are outlined, including inadequate disease‑specific target validation, delivery challenges, on‑target/off‑tumor toxicity and the lack of clinically relevant preclinical models. In conclusion, PROTACs offer a promising, though still nascent, therapeutic framework for OSCC, with future advancements reliant on biomarker‑guided target prioritization, oral‑cavity‑specific delivery optimization and dedicated translational research.
View Figures

Figure 1

Discovery-to-clinic priorities for
PROTAC development in OSCC. This figure summarizes the
OSCC-specific clinical context, prioritizes degradable targets,
outlines preferred delivery strategies and identifies the major
translational steps necessary to advance targeted protein
degradation toward clinically meaningful application in oral
cancer. OSCC, oral squamous cell carcinoma; HNSCC, head and neck
squamous cell carcinoma; FOSL1, Fos-related antigen 1; BET,
bromodomain and extraterminal; BRD4, bromodomain-containing protein
4; HK2, hexokinase 2; PDX, patient-derived xenograft; PROTACs,
proteolysis targeting chimeras.
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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Bai Y, Ma D, Yang X and Wang M: Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review). Mol Med Rep 34: 245, 2026.
APA
Bai, Y., Ma, D., Yang, X., & Wang, M. (2026). Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 34, 245. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2026.13955
MLA
Bai, Y., Ma, D., Yang, X., Wang, M."Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 34.3 (2026): 245.
Chicago
Bai, Y., Ma, D., Yang, X., Wang, M."Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 34, no. 3 (2026): 245. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2026.13955
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Bai Y, Ma D, Yang X and Wang M: Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review). Mol Med Rep 34: 245, 2026.
APA
Bai, Y., Ma, D., Yang, X., & Wang, M. (2026). Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 34, 245. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2026.13955
MLA
Bai, Y., Ma, D., Yang, X., Wang, M."Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 34.3 (2026): 245.
Chicago
Bai, Y., Ma, D., Yang, X., Wang, M."Proteolysis‑targeting chimeras in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Current evidence, translational challenges and future directions (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 34, no. 3 (2026): 245. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2026.13955
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