Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the oral structures, which may invade and destroy bone tissue due to increased osteoclastic activity. The matricelular protein osteopontin (OPN) has been associated with more aggressive tumors since OPN can promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and invasion. In bone, OPN is the most abundant non-collagenous protein,…