Knowledge, Attitude And Perception On Genomic Markers In Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder Among Oral Medicine And Oral Pathology Specialists

Background: A genomic biomarker is a measurement of the expression, function and regulation of a gene that consists of one or more deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and/or ribonucleic acid(RNA) characteristics. Oral potentially malignant disorders are chronic conditions, which have a higher risk of transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma.Over years, various specific and non-specific markers have been introduced that could predict the malignant transformation of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders at early stage. Further,early detection plays a crucial role in prognosis and treatment planning. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perception of genomic markers among oral medicine and oral pathology specialists. Materials and Method: A 12 multiple choice self constructed questionnaire was prepared by the principal investigator and the guide circulated among peers for validation. An online survey was created using google forms and distributed among Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology Specialists. Data was tabulated in Excel spreadsheets. Imported to IBM SPSS software version 2.0 and statistical analysis were performed. Frequency, percentage and chi square test was performed. Result: On analysis, it was discovered that Oral medicine and Oral pathology specialists were mostly aware about genomic biomarkers. 42.9% revealed microRNA 21 as the most sensitive microRNA in OPMD, 49.2% revealed easy and convenient method for Genomic biomarker research in OPMD as Saliva and 43% revealed the major difficulty faced during Genomic biomarker research in OPMD is Processing of Samples.Majority of the participants believe that genomic biomarkers can serve as a diagnostic & prognostic tool. of the participants Conclusion: Oral medicine and Oral pathology specialists have adequate awareness and knowledge about salivary diagnostic markers, but certain knowledge has to be brushed up among them. Majority of participants showed a positive attitude towards its use as a diagnostic & prognostic tool. Furthermore, they need to be trained on these grounds to help them treat their patients in the best possible way. Clinical Significance: There is an impervious need for faster ways to detect different pathologies, seeing that many types of OPMD turning into cancer are discovered only in late stage.miRNAs as a genomic biomarkers can fulfill this, thus being an impressive research field. Further,the identification of biomarkers provides a novel insight into understanding the mechanisms of the tumor formation and progression and promising therapy for different cancers.