Detection of Nail Oncometabolite SAICAR in Oral Cancer and Its Molecular Interactions with PKM2 Enzyme

Oncometabolites are known to drive metabolic adaptations in oral cancer. These oncometabolites serve as biomarkers for early detection of oral cancer. Among potential oncometabolite, SAICAR is one of them that support growth and invasiveness of cancer cells. SAICAR has been reported to activate Pyruvate Kinase M2 (PKM2) enzyme, which in turn favors the survival of cancer cells in low glucose tumor microenvironment. There is a significant gap in detection of SAICAR in biological fluids/materials including nails of oral cancer patients. </p