Therefore, membrane Cx43 levels might be an independent biomarker for early changes associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma.123 Moreover, Cx43+ fibroblasts are enriched in the stroma of OSCC, which may be a hallmark for judging oral SCC invasion.124 Changes in Cx43 expression have been detected in malignant and benign tumours. This evidence concerns the gene GJA1 and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.