Identification of miR-139-5p as a saliva biomarker for tongue squamous cell carcinoma: a pilot study.

Background Of all human oral carcinomas, 41 % are localized to the tongue. Despite considerable improvements in both diagnosis and treatment, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) has remained one of the most lethal types of cancer. Here, we aimed at identifying a salivary microRNA (miRNA) expression signature specific for TSCC patients.