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Department of Oral Medicine

To improve the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal diseases through the integration of Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. We are committed to basic and translational research that bridges clinical experience and scientific innovation, fostering interdisciplinary and international collaboration to enhance patient care and advance the field of oral medicine.

Our major research areas include oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), oral candidiasis, and oral-related conditions of systemic diseases such as Sj?gren’s syndrome. We explore the pathogenesis and expand the new diagnostic and intervention strategies of OPMDs, such as non-invasive detection and photodynamic therapy serving for the individualized management. As the most common opportunistic oral pathogens, candida albicans, its interplay with systemic diseases and its role in malignant transformation were the interest of our team. For Sj?gren’s syndrome, labial gland-derived mesenchymal stem cells and exos (LG-MSCs and LGMSC-Exos) for their regenerative and immunomodulatory potential were investigated. Exploring the role of artificial intelligence technology in assisting diagnosis and risk prediction of oral mucosal diseases is a recent research direction in the department.

DIRECTOR

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Hua Hong, DDS, PhD

Professor

Principal Investigator

honghua1968@aliyun.com

Dr. Hua obtained her PhD from the Peking University School of Stomatology in 1992. She was a visiting scholar at the University of California, San Francisco and Stanford University (1999–2000). She completed her training at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine during 2013–2015.

She has over 30 years of experience in clinical care, education, and research in oral mucosal diseases. Dr. Hua has published more than 130 research articles, edited or translated six monographs, and contributed to over 30 professional books.

She is currently the Director of the Department of Oral Medicine at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology.

Dr. Hua also serves as:

President, 4th Society of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chinese Stomatological Association

President, 2nd & 3rd Specialty Committee of Oral Medicine, Beijing Stomatological Association.

RESEARCH AREAS

Research on the Pathogenesis and Management of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs)

Our team focus on the pathogenesis, and clinical management of OPMDs. We have conducted series of clinical studies on photodynamic therapy for oral leukoplakia, offering a non-invasive treatment alternative. Additionally, we explore the links between oral leukoplakia and systemic conditions such as metabolic and autoimmune diseases. In oral lichen planus, we focus on immune-mediated mechanisms and exploration of new effective pharmacologic therapies. Our research has contributed to the establishment of clinical treatment protocols and the identification of potential biomarkers for oral mucosal diseases.

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Image 1: Photodynamic therapy for oral leukoplakia(Reference: Front Physiol. 2019;9:1911.)

Research on Oral Candidiasis and its Association with Malignant transformation and Systemic Diseases

We examine the role of Candida albicans in epithelial dysplasia and its potential contribution to malignant transformation in the oral mucosa. Our research further investigates the relationship between systemic conditions—such as diabetes and oral candidiasis. Through histopathological, molecular, and clinical trial approaches, we are working to improve early diagnosis, risk assessment, and personalized treatment strategies for patients with recurrent or severe oral candidiasis.

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Image 2: Candida colonization in dysplastic oral mucosa (Reference: J Dent Res. 2025;104(1):64–74.)

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Image 3: Candida albicans overgrowth impairs the efficacy of PD-1 blockade for oral tumor

(Reference: Cancer Lett. 2024;588:216814.)

Research on Sj?gren’s Syndrome and Labial Gland-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (LG-MSCs)

Our team research team is aimed at exploring the intricate connection between oral health and autoimmune diseases related to oral mucosal diseases, particularly focusing on Sj?gren’s Syndrome. Exploring the role and mechanisms of labial gland-MSCs and LGMSC-Exos in immune modulation and in repairing inflammatory damage of salivary glands in Sj?gren's Syndrome. Enhancing the immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, and tissue repair properties of LGMSC-Exos via engineered modifications, thereby improving their targeted therapeutic efficacy in salivary gland dysfunction. In parallel, we conduct retrospective clinical analyses to characterize patient profiles, treatment outcomes, and disease progression. This dual approach bridges bench-to-bedside research and supports the development of stem cell-based therapies for autoimmune salivary gland dysfunction.

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Image 4: LG-MSCs isolated from human labial gland tissue (Reference: J Nanobiotechnology. 2025;23(1):228.)

Research on artificial intelligence technology in assisting diagnosis and risk prediction of oral mucosal diseases

The team explore emerging new technologies such as artificial intelligence for auxiliary diagnosis and risk prediction of oral mucosal diseases, in order to improve diagnostic efficiency and provide early intervention for high-risk individuals.

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Image 5: AI for assisting diagnosis and risk prediction of oral mucosal diseases

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

miRNA let-7f-5p-encapsulated labial gland MSC-derived EVs ameliorate experimental Sj?gren's syndrome by suppressing Th17 cells via targeting RORC/IL-17A signaling axis

J Nanobiotechnology. 2025;23(1):228.

Labial Gland Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Exosomes-Mediated miRNA-125b Attenuates Experimental Sjogren's Syndrome by Targeting PRDM1 and Suppressing Plasma Cells

Front Immunol. 2022 Apr 4;13:871096.

Labial gland-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes ameliorate murine Sj?gren's syndrome by modulating the balance of Treg and Th17 cells

Stem Cell Res Ther. 2021 Aug 26;12(1):478.

Candida albicans overgrowth disrupts the gut microbiota in mice bearing oral cancer

Mycology. 2023;15(1):57-69.

Candida albicans-myeloid cells-T lymphocytes axis in the tumor microenvironment of oral tumor-bearing mice

Cancer Lett. 2024;588:216814.

Potential role of salivary lactic acid bacteria in pathogenesis of oral lichen planus

BMC Microbiol. 2024;24(1):197.

Potential correlation of oral flora with pemphigus vulgaris - A case control study

J Dent Sci. 2023;18(4):1612-1620.

ScRNA-Seq Analysis of Tongue Tissues in Chronic Hyperplastic Candidiasis

J Dent Res. 2025;104(1):64-74.

Efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1378782.

Primary Clinical Evaluation of Photodynamic Therapy With Oral Leukoplakia in Chinese Patients

Front Physiol. 2019;9:1911.

Differences in the response of normal oral mucosa, oral leukoplakia, oral squamous cell carcinoma-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and epithelial cells to photodynamic therapy

J Photochem Photobiol B. 2024;255:112907.

TEAM

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