Early Detection of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through Salivary Analysis
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Abstract
Oral cancer ranks as the sixth most prevalent type globally, with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounting for most of it. Despite the ease of examining the oral cavity in clinical settings, most OSCC cases are not diagnosed in their early stages, which significantly contributes to the low survival rate. Presently, the standard method for diagnosing OSCC is through histological examination. However, recent research has explored the potential of non-invasive approaches, like saliva diagnostics, to detect specific biomarkers in saliva from individuals with OSCC. Analyzing the highly specific components in saliva, such as cytokines, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), could result in early detection of OSCC. Therefore, the objective of this review is to present the latest findings regarding the detection of saliva biomarkers in various patient types and suggest potential biomarkers that prove to be reliable, specific, and sensitive for the early detection and management of OSCC. Saliva diagnostics, or “liquid biopsy”, is painless, easily accessible, cost-effective, and serves as a valuable resource for identifying biomarkers. Although further research is needed to determine the effectiveness and limitations of salivary biomarkers, research suggests that saliva diagnostics could be effectively integrated into future clinical diagnostic processes, leading to significant improvements in early detection of OSCC, serving as the first step towards a more favorable outcome. These salivary biomarkers also can detect other cancer types and even monitor the activity of non-cancerous diseases.
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Saliva, Oral Cancer, Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Biomarker