Immunoglobulins in Serum: A new prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in oral potentially malignant disorder—Oral submucous fibrosis

Abstract

Aim: Tissue fibrosis can be considered as a component of normal healing process in response to various kinds of injury. It involves the recruitment of immune cells and inflammatory molecules to the site of injury and accumulation and reorganization of extracellular matrix components. The stress exerted during fibrogenesis leads to the activation of immune cells. Based on these, we intended to study the level of serum immunoglobulins at various stages of a precancerous condition of oral mucosa called oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF). Materials and methods: The major serum immunoglobulin levels, namely, immunoglobulin G (IgG), Immunoglobulin A (IgA), Immunoglobulin M (IgM), and Immunoglobulin E (IgE), were analyzed by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The results obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey–Kramer multiple comparisons to reveal the statistical significance of the disease. Results: The present study reported a significantly high level of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE in all stages of OSMF when compared with healthy individuals. Conclusion and clinical significance: Thus, the alterations in the routine immunological analysis observed in the present study could be utilized both as prognostic and diagnostic marker in case of oral potentially malignant disorder, especially OSMF.