Abstract: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the major malignant tumors affecting human health. Due to the lack of biomarkers for early detection and risk assessment, more than 50% patients are often diagnosed at the late stage. Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles secreted and released by cells to the outside,which are widely present in the saliva. Exosomes carry various bioactive substances and mediate the interaction between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment. With the development of exosomes research, scientists found that exosomes are closely related to the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. And exosomes can be used as ideal oral disease biomarkers for early diagnosis. This articles reviews the research development of salivary exosomes in Oral squamous cell carcinoma,in order to provide the reference for studies on early diagnosis of oral carcinoma.

Key words: saliva, biomarkers, exosomes, oral cancer