Serum Raman spectroscopy: Prognostic applications in oral cancers

Abstract

Background Loco‐regional recurrences attributable to field cancerization and minimal residual cancer, remain prime causes of mortality in oral cancer (OC) subjects. The current study evaluates potential of serum Raman spectroscopy (SRS) to identify recurrence‐prone OC subjects. Methods Raman spectra of serum from eight healthy subjects (H) and 57 OC subjects (with‐recurrence [R], without‐recurrence [NR], and with suspicious‐lesions [S]), before (BS) and after (AS) surgical excision of tumor were recorded. OC subjects were followed‐up for 7‐years. Results DNA and protein alterations were observed in AS sera of all groups. 4‐, 3‐, and 2‐model multivariate analyses were used to stratify BS and AS groups. H spectra were 100% distinguishable from all other groups. AS, R and NR were distinguished with high accuracy (84%) in all models. No stratification (~50%) was observed BS. Conclusion SRS shows potential to identify recurrence prone subjects, post‐surgery, using serum collected as early as 1 week after surgery.