Comparative Role of Matrixins in Diagnostics of Parotid Gland Tumors

The benign and malignant neoplasms in parotid gland have similar clinical presentations despite different tumor growth rates. The study compared the clinical and morphological data as well as the results of ELISA for MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in salivary fluid yielded during primary examination of the patients with pleomorphic adenoma and adenocarcinoma of parotid gland. The examined biomarkers detected in salivary fluid in patients with various cancer types differed significantly (p≤0.05). The correlations between clinical identification of adenoma or adenocarcinoma, on the one hand, and the levels of MMP-8, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2, on the other hand, makes it possible to use the latter as biomarkers for early detection and comprehensive noninvasive differential diagnostics of these neoplasms.

[Dental status as a predictive factor in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa]

The aim of this work was to study the influence of components of dental status on the local immunity of the oral cavity; we compared the results of the study of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral mucosa and patients without neoplasm. The study involved 136 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa and 57 patients without neoplasms. In the role of the constituent characteristics of dental status were examined: the use of removable and fixed dentures, dental caries, dental plaque, sharp edges of fullings. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2, 8 and 9, as well as their tissue inhibitors 1 and 2 were assessed in oral fluid. The results suggest the influence of all factors on local immune status of the oral cavity as proved by the significant changes in MMPs level. The use of removable dentures resulted in the pronounced decrease of MMPs and should be considered in oral SSC screening and non-invasive diagnostics.

Estimation of Expression of Oral Fluid Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Pretumor Diseases of Oral Mucosa

Complex clinical, dental, and morphological investigation, and ELISA of levels of MMP-2, 8, 9, and TIMP-1 and 2 in the saliva was performed during primary examination of patients with premalignant lesions of maxillofacial area and practically healthy volunteers. Levels of all study MMP in the saliva significantly differed (p≤0.05) in patients with premalignant lesions and the control. These patients were also characterized by a significant (0.1≤p≤0.05) changes in TIMP concentrations (toward pathological pattern) comparing to the control. Pattern of correlations between parameters of MMP-2 expression might be a marker for early diagnostics of a premalignant lesion independently on the dental health. Observed features of biomarker expression in patients with premalignant lesions might reflect the appearance of a cascade of biochemical reactions followed by the activation of production of proteinases and their inhibitors as a response to the exposure to etiological factors. Clinical and morphological diagnosis of a premalignant lesion in the maxillofacial area was confirmed by the immunological analysis of biomarker expression in the saliva, which can be used for monitoring and screening of population.