Relation of salivary MMP-8 with oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma: a cross sectional analytical study

Abstract

ObjectivesWe aim to evaluate salivary matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-8) levels in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) for the purpose of diagnosis at the early stage via non-invasive method.SettingThe study was multicentre, carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.ParticipantsA total 60 participants of any age, sex and ethnicity were randomly selected for the purpose of this study. Patients demonstrating clinical evidence of OSF and biopsy-proven cases of OSCC were included. Patients with indeterminate histopathological report, immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorder, chronic medical and periodontal disease (periodontal depth greater than 5 mm) and individuals with interincisal mouth opening greater than 35 mm were excluded from the study.InterventionsSalivary MMP-8 levels were observed in OSF, healthy and OSCC groups by using ELISA. One way analysis of variance was applied to establish whether MMP-8 levels of disease-free individuals and patients suffering from OSF and OSCC differed from each other.ResultsStatistically significant difference in salivary MMP-8 expression in diseased and control group was observed. MMP-8 levels in OSCC (0.64 ng/mL) and OSF (0.66 ng/mL) were underexpressed as compared with healthy participants (7.9 ng/mL).ConclusionMMP-8 levels were underexpressed in OSCC and OSF patients as compared with controls, which imply that MMP-8 level has an inverse relation with OSCC and OSF.

Matrix‐based molecular mechanisms, targeting and diagnostics in oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…38 Salivary MMP-8 levels are reduced in OSCC patients as compared with disease-free samples. 39 It is established that the major MMP-8 activator is the cysteine switch mechanism that is mediated by MT1-MMP, 40 suggesting the potential role of MT1-MMPevoked MMP-8 tumor-suppressive properties in OSCC.…”

“…Notably, the collagenase MMP‐8 is the only tumor‐suppressive MMP in OSCC and tongue SCC, since it favors better prognosis and lower mortality 38 . Salivary MMP‐8 levels are reduced in OSCC patients as compared with disease‐free samples 39 . It is established that the major MMP‐8 activator is the cysteine switch mechanism that is mediated by MT1‐MMP, 40 suggesting the potential role of MT1‐MMP‐evoked MMP‐8 tumor‐suppressive properties in OSCC.…”