Repurposing drugs for Oral Submucous Fibrosis: Ziauddin Dentistry research wins national honour
KARACHI: Research from Pakistan’s dental academia took center stage at the country’s first International Conference of Molecular Medicine when a faculty member from Ziauddin College of Dentistry earned national recognition for work addressing one of the region’s most challenging oral health conditions. The achievement reflects not only scientific merit but also the growing role of dentistry in interdisciplinary biomedical research.
At the 1st International Conference of Molecular Medicine, held recently, Prof. Dr. Afifa Razi of Ziauddin College of Dentistry, Ziauddin University, represented the dental fraternity as a scientific presenter, bringing oral medicine into the spotlight of molecular and translational research.
Her research poster was awarded 2nd Prize in the Poster Presentation category, a distinction that underscored both the quality of the study and its clinical relevance for Pakistan and the wider region.
Related story: Insights from Prof. Dr. Afifa Razi on World Oral Health Day 2025
The award-winning work forms part of her ongoing PhD research, supervised by Dr. Shumaila Usman, PhD (Molecular Medicine). The project explores the repurposing of Pirfenidone and Metformin as potential antifibrotic agents for Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSF)—a chronic, progressive, and potentially malignant disorder that causes significant functional and quality-of-life impairment.
By presenting dental research on a national molecular medicine platform, Prof. Dr. Afifa Razi demonstrated how oral medicine can bridge the gap between laboratory science and patient care. Her work reflects a commitment to addressing local disease burdens through globally relevant scientific approaches.
Her recognition serves as a reminder that innovation in dentistry is not confined to clinical procedures alone, but increasingly lies in understanding disease mechanisms at the cellular and genetic levels—and translating those insights into safer, more accessible therapies.
Oral Submucous Fibrosis remains a major public health concern in South Asia due to its association with areca nut consumption and its risk of malignant transformation. Current management options offer limited effectiveness and carry potential side effects.
The research integrates molecular, cellular, and clinical perspectives, linking gene-expression pathways and cellular mechanisms with clinical assessment of fibrosis. This translational model aims to move evidence from the laboratory bench toward practical, patient-centered outcomes.
By investigating drugs already used in other systemic diseases, the study highlights the promise of drug repurposing strategies—a cost-effective and faster route to therapeutic innovation in resource-limited settings.
The recognition of this research at Pakistan’s first International Conference of Molecular Medicine signals a shift in how dentistry is positioned within biomedical science—no longer as an isolated specialty, but as an active contributor to high-impact molecular and translational research. For Ziauddin University and the wider dental community, the achievement stands as both validation and motivation: proof that locally driven research can address regional health challenges while meeting international scientific standards.
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