Mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics analysis has revealed an enhanced interferon-related signaling pathway for oral cancer cells in vitro, using labeled-mass spectrometry coupled to a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system . Such findings required further study into the significance of interferon in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma and may serve as a basis for development of targeted therapies and potential biomarkers for oral cancer.