Saliva's Role in Oropharyngeal Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Reznick A Z, Hershkovich O, Nagler R M
Primary Institution: Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Hypothesis
Does saliva have a role in the pathogenesis of oropharyngeal cancer and is there really a direct contact between cigarette smoke carcinogens and the epithelium?
Conclusion
The study found that saliva enhances the lethal effects of cigarette smoke on oral cancer cells, suggesting a novel mechanism in the pathogenesis of oropharyngeal cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- Saliva enhances the lethal effects of cigarette smoke on SCC-25 cells.
- Sm/Sl saliva was found to be the most cytotoxic compared to parotid saliva.
- Adding antioxidants like GSH and DES protected cells from the harmful effects of cigarette smoke.
Takeaway
Saliva can actually make the harmful effects of cigarette smoke worse for oral cancer cells, which is surprising because we usually think of saliva as protective.
Methodology
SCC-25 oral cancer cells were exposed to cigarette smoke with and without saliva, and cell survival and protein oxidation were measured.
Participant Demographics
Six healthy volunteers (three males and three females, aged 21–47 years)
Statistical Information
P-Value
P<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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