Salivary apoptotic cells in oral (pre-) cancer as a potential diagnostic means

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is a genetically programmed form of cell death which is indispensable for development and homeostasis of multi-cellular organism. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out the salivary apoptotic cells in oral precancerous and cancerous patients and furthermore to observe the potential diagnostic value of salivary apoptotic cells in detection of oral pre-cancer and cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Unsimulated saliva was collected from a group of 103 subjects diagnosed with oral (pre-)cancer and a control group of 30 healthy age- and gender-matched individuals. The test group diagnosed with (pre-)cancer was further subdivided in 4 lesion groups oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral lichen planus lesions (n=26), oral leukoplakia (n=25), oral sub-mucous fibrosis (n=24) Apoptotic cells were morphologically studied using fluorescence microscopy (TUNEL technique). RESULTS: While the morphology of apoptotic cells in oral pre-cancer and cancer are morphological similar to the typical epithelial cells of oral cavity mucosa, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly less in OSCC as compared to precancerous and normal healthy tissues. CONCLUSIONS: It could therefore be concluded that salivary apoptotic epithelial cells might be used in early detection and diagnosis of oral pre-cancer and cancer. Key words:Saliva, apoptotic, apoptosis, lichen planus, oral cancer.