Using Saliva Secretions to Model Disease Progression

Abstract

IntroductionOver the decades, biological modeling has been used to study disease progression in numerous types of carcinomas. To date, no one model can completely predict cancer progression. Consequently, there are a plethora of different types of models for numerous carcinomas. Additionally, cancer modeling lacks an in vivo system that refl ects disease changes in a "real-time" approach.Saliva is a complex and dynamic biological fl uid, which over the years has been recognized for the numerous functions it performs in the oral cavity. However, modern technology has unveiled AbstractTo date, because of the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer, no individual model recapitulates all aspects of this disease. The authors of this chapter developed a molecular model that utilizes one of the most easily obtained body fl uids for tumor marker analysis. The in vivo model can fi ll in the current gaps in our understanding of cancer pathogenesis, signaling pathways, the effi cacy of varying chemotherapeutics, identifying novel therapies, and, most importantly, shed new light on metastatic progression that is the principal cause of mortality. We propose that, secondary to cancer, the malignancy's rapid growth alters the proteomic content of the tissue microenvironment. These changes may manifest in up-or downregulation of salivary protein concentrations, which can be used as a sentinel for cancer modeling.

Correlation between salivary and serum CA15‑3 concentrations in patients with breast cancer

“…Agha-Hosseini et al found that salivary and serum levels of CA15-3 were significantly higher in cancer patients, with a significant positive correlation between serum and saliva CA15-3 concentrations ( 24 ). Streckfus et al also reported a moderate correlation between salivary and serum CA15-3 concentration with ELISA ( 18 ).…”

“…The proposed hypothesis is that active transport of proteins into saliva by the salivary glandular epithelium could explain the presence of membrane-bound proteins such as CA15-3. In breast cancer patients, there would be an overabundance of various bioactive proteins associated with the rapid, abnormal growth of the neoplasm, which in turn could produce a response in the salivary glands (18). Further studies are necessary to better understand the regulatory mechanisms of elevated salivary CA15-3 in breast cancer patients.…”

Vibrational Spectroscopy Saliva Profiling as Biometric Tool for Disease Diagnostics: A Systematic Literature Review

“…In addition, the salivary composition can be influenced by the collection time (as cortisol secretion peak between 06:00 to 08:00 a.m.), collection methods (stimulated or not), current medical treatments, the presence of comorbidities or oral inflammation [ 11 , 12 ]. In this review, for example, the time of sampling is not always specified in the included studies ( n = 10/18), as well as the volume of saliva that was collected, varying from 1 to 4 mL when specified.…”

“…Saliva is also comparable to human serum metabolomes in terms of chemical complexity and abundance of metabolites [ 9 , 12 ]. Also, vs. of saliva could be an alternative to vs. using blood or its derived products, without being invasive and stressful for the patient and not requiring a more complex storage mode.…”

“…Saliva includes over 800 identified metabolites (amino acids, carboxylic acids, steroid derivatives, glucose, etc.) and is comparable to human serum metabolomes in terms of chemical complexity and abundance of metabolites [ 9 , 12 ].…”