Expression of saliva biomarkers in patients with squamous cell carcinoma in various regions of the oral mucosa

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Oral fluid as a means for early detection and differential diagnosis of diseases of the oral mucosa and for assessing the overall somatic status of the body attracts the attention of researchers due to the non-invasiveness of material sampling and the exclusion of risks possible during blood analysis, as well as a simpler, compared with blood samples, material storage regime.
 AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the levels of oral fluid biomarkers of 170 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa (RCC-MOP) depending on the localization of the oncopathology.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed the levels of oral fluid biomarkers of 170 patients with RCC-MOP depending on the localization of oncopathology. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2, 8, and 9, as well as their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) 1 and 2, were chosen as biomarkers. For a comparative analysis, lesions of the tongue, cheek, floor of the oral cavity, alveolar ridge of the jaw, and oropharynx were selected.
 RESULTS: The study showed significant differences in the biomarker levels in the localization of squamous cell carcinoma in different parts of the oral mucosa.
 CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the expression of oral fluid biomarkers with RCC-MOP revealed a link between the localization of the oncopathology and the level of synthesized biomarkers. The peak values of MMPs in the lesions of the tongue and floor of the oral cavity may be associated with the high number of salivary glands in these anatomical areas. The expression level is influenced by a number of factors, such as the localization of the pathological process, dental status, age, gender, and general condition of the patient.