Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This article aims to systematically and comprehensively discuss molecular biology-related progress and targeted therapeutic strategies for ameloblastoma, which are expected to be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of ameloblastoma. DESIGN: A comprehensive review of scientific literature relevant to ameloblastoma, including the latest classification, global epidemiology, molecular biology advances, and targeted therapy. RESULTS: Among the 156 articles cited, a total of 20 non-coding RNAs, 13 genes, 27 proteins, and 8 pathways were involved, which play a variety of roles in ameloblastoma. These roles include participation in the biological behaviours of ameloblastoma migration, differentiation, and apoptosis; detection of ameloblastoma proliferative properties; detection of ameloblastoma angiogenesis; and identification of ameloblastoma carcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: At present, some progress has been made in molecular biology and targeted therapy for ameloblastoma involving BRAF and SMO genes. The related non-coding RNAs, genes, proteins, and pathways involved in this review provide new ideas and directions for the occurrence and development of ameloblastoma and have the potential to become new gene therapy targets.