Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a significant global health concern, particularly prevalent in the South Asian region, including Pakistan.

Objectives: The basic aim of the study is to find the microRNA-based markers of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma and buccal squamous cell carcinoma among the population of Pakistan.

Material and methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Karachi at Tertiary care Hospital from January 2022 to February 2023. A total of 150 patients were recruited in this study. Clinical and demographic data were collected for all patients, including age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption history, tumor stage, and grade. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups, the OTSCC group and the BSCC group. Randomization was performed using a computer-generated random sequence. Tumor tissue samples from both groups were obtained through biopsy or surgical resection for miRNA analysis.

Results: Data were collected from 150 patients from both genders. A total of 150 patients participated in the study, with 75 patients in each group (OTSCC and BSCC). The mean age of patients with OTSCC was 54.2 years, while the mean age of patients with BSCC was 56.5 years. Other demographic characteristics were comparable between the two groups, with similar gender distribution, smoking history, and tumor stages.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the distinct miRNA signatures associated with each cancer subtype may serve as valuable diagnostic and prognostic tools. 

Keywords: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), Microrna, Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OTSCC), Buccal Mucosa Squamous Cell Carcinoma (BSCC)