The aim of the presented study was to evaluate IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in tissue specimens and saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders such as oral leukoplakia and oral lichen planus to confirm the potential of proinflammatory, NF-kappaB dependent cytokines as biomarkers of malignant transformation process within the oral mucosa. Here, TNF is linked to oral lichen planus.