Estimation of serum and salivary immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A in oral pre-cancer: A study in oral submucous fibrosis and oral lichen planus

AIM: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and oral lichen planus (OLP) are two frequently reported, potentially malignant disorders with multifactorial etiologies and ambiguous pathogenesis. An immunological pathogenesis has been hypothesized as a causative factor for both. The present study aims to evaluate the role of serum and salivary immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in both these conditions, by their quantitative estimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Saliva and serum samples were collected from 30 patients, clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed with OSMF, 30 with OLP and 30 age and sex matched controls. The levels of IgG and IgA were estimated by nephelometry. RESULTS: The mean values of serum IgG were marginally higher in both OSMF and OLP groups compared to the controls but this difference was not significant and the mean values of serum immunoglobulin A were marginally decreased in both the study groups compared to the controls but this difference was also not significant. Inconclusively low levels of salivary IgG and IgA were obtained in the three groups. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests an insignificant association of these immunoglobulins in the pathogenesis of both these diseases.