J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2025 Apr;51(2):123-125. 10.5125/jkaoms.2025.51.2.123.

Growth differentiation factor 15: a promising biomarker in oral cancer

• Oh HJ
• Lee JH
• Kim SM

• KMID: 2567948
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2025.51.2.123

Abstract

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a cytokine within the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, is involved in various malignancies, with implications in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Elevated GDF-15 levels are correlated with unfavorable prognosis, tumor progression, and chemotherapy resistance, and the protein has been identified as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Personalized treatment strategies based on GDF-15 expression could improve treatment outcomes.

Keyword

Growth differentiation factor 15; Cachexia; Squamous cell carcinoma; Mouth neoplasms; Biomarkers

Reference

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