Diagnostic role of saliva in oral cancers

Abstract

Saliva is a noninvasive diagnostic fluid alternative containing almost all the compounds found in blood, oral and tumoral cells. The aim of this study is to analyze the correlations occurred between different key biomarkers involved in different stages of oral cancer, such as inflammation markers - interleukin 6 (IL-6), extracellular collagen degradation markers - matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloprotease 2 (TIMP-2).This study included a lot of 30 patients diagnosed with oral cancer at the Department of Oro Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University Hospital of Dental Medicine Prof. Dr. Dan Teodorescu. The patients were included in this study after informed consent was obtained. Salivary biomarker analysis was made using ELISA methods, biochemical or colorimetric assays. Uric acid (UA) levels were positively correlated with total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (r = 0.78). TAC levels were negatively correlated with IL-6 levels (r = -0.66). MMP-9 levels were positively correlated with the Ki-67protein (also known as MKI67) levels (r = 0.65) and negatively correlated with TIMP-2 levels (r = -0.71). We can conclude upon the results that salivary research may lead to the usage of saliva as a quick and reliable screening and diagnostic tool for oral cancer.