Salivary mucin 4 levels in subjects with oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Aims: Oral cancer remains a substantial global health burden. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a multi-step process characterized by invasive cancer and metastasis. Mucin 4 (MUC4) has been studied for its differential expression in cancer. The current study aimed to evaluate salivary MUC4 levels in subjects with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and OSCC. Methods: This case-control, cross-sectional study evaluated salivary MUC4 levels in healthy subjects (Group 1), OPMD patients (Group 2), and OSCC patients (Group 3). Saliva was collected from the subjects 1 h before food consumption using the spit method, and MUC4 levels were analyzed using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The study included 26 controls (group 1, age, mean±SD: 42.9±7.2, males: 50%), 26 subjects with OPMD (group 2, age, mean±SD: 46.2±7.5, males: 73.1%), and 26 subjects with OSCC (group 3, age, mean±SD: 57.2±6.2, males: 65.4%). MUC4 levels were significantly higher in patients with OPMD (6.20±3.07 ng/dL) and OSCC (7.87±4.30 ng/dL) than in controls (4.22±2.05 ng/dL) (p=0.001). Group 3 had significantly higher salivary MUC4 levels than group 1. OSCC with TNM stage 4a had higher salivary MUC4 levels (8.53±4.15 ng/dL), followed by TNM stage 3 (7.49±4.93 ng/dL) and TNM stage 2 (6.33±2.89 ng/dL). Conclusions: Salivary MUC4 levels were significantly higher in patients with OPMD and OSCC. This study showed that MUC4 may play a role in the diagnosis of OPMD and OSCC.