BMI1 and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: Additionally, studies54, 55 have indicated that BMI1 is highly expressed in oral pre-cancerous lesions such as erythema and lichen planus, and this high expression is associated with their malignant transformation, suggesting that BMI1 may play a significant role in the evolution of oral squamous cell carcinoma and the transition of pre-cancerous lesions into malignancies.