Expression & Comparison of Sol CD44 Salivary Biomarker in Patients with Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess and compare the expression of SoLCD44 in patients with oral potential malignant diseases and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methodology: A total of 135 subjects were selected and divided into three groups: - Oral premalignant disorder (OSMF) OSMF  group consisted of 45 patients, Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) group consisted of 45 patients who were recently diagnosed with OSCC and Healthy group consisted of 45 healthy volunteers as controls with no oral or systemic lesions.Demographic variables such as age, gender, site of the lesion & habits were recorded for all patients.  Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and analyzed for the expression of salivary biomarker SolCD44 using ELISA and the readings were calculated with the UV Spectrophotometer at 450nm.

Results: The results of the present study showed that the higher percentages of males had OSCC and OSMF. Among the various sites of the oral cavity, buccal mucosa showed a higher prevalence of OSCC. Tobacco chewing habit was seen to be prevalent in OSMF and OSCC groups when compared with the other habits. SolCD44 expression was found to be elevated in the OSCC group followed by OSMF levels was found to be statistically significant (p value=0.005).

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that SolCD44 can serve as a potential salivary biomarker for the early detection and prevention of precancerous lesions. Additionally, it may be utilized as a therapeutic tool to assess the risk of progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma.