Table 2_Salivary microRNAs for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorder triage: a scoping review and evidence map.docx

After removal of 412 duplicates and 15 records before screening, 802 titles and abstracts were screened; 54 full-text reports were sought, of which 3 could not be retrieved and 51 were assessed. Sixteen sources were included in the evidence map, comprising 13 primary studies and 3 contextual systematic reviews.</p>Results<p>Three diagnostic reports contained five assay-level results for cancer vs. OPMD or oral lichen planus.

A four-miRNA panel was reported to have 90% sensitivity and 82.7% specificity in 50 OC and 52 OPMD participants. Two individual miRNAs evaluated in the same 30 OSCC and 30 OPMD participants each had reported sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 60%. An additional oral lichen planus comparison had uncertain ROC analysis denominators and was retained without reconstructed counts.

Repeated assays within a cohort were not considered independent studies. Small selected samples, data-derived thresholds, inconsistent reporting and limited independent validation restricted interpretation.</p>Conclusions<p>Salivary miRNAs have shown study-specific discrimination between cancer and selected OPMD groups. Evidence does not establish a transportable accuracy estimate or clinical benefit for lesion triage.

Prospective evaluation in consecutive lesion cohorts is needed before these assays can inform biopsy, referral or surveillance decisions.</p>