Management and Novel Therapeutics for Odontogenic Tumors

The identification of tumor molecular markers continues to become more widespread. The application of such markers however lags the basic research. This article reviews known signaling pathways and highlights various therapeutics for the treatment of odontogenic tumors.

Numerous gene mutations have been discovered in the pathogenesis of a multitude of odontogenic tumors. Current research on novel therapeutics for the management of odontogenic tumors focuses mainly on the use of sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitors. These studies however are hindered by low subject enrollment given the low incidence of odontogenic tumors.

Management of odontogenic tumors is primarily to surgery. Currently, only one therapeutic is becoming widely used albeit in addition to surgery. Given the advances in next generation sequencing, the identification of tumor specific genes will continue to advance. The main challenge going forward is funding new, multi-center trials to research new drugs that target these molecular markers. Until then the morbidity associated with the removal of odontogenic tumors will remain high.