Abstract
Background and Objectives:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major oral cancer representative. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (Scc-AG) is detected in squamous cell carcinoma of oral tissues and other different tissues. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with questionable malignant transformation.
Methods:
Forty-five participants divided into OSCC group and two control groups: oral lichen planus as an inflammatory disease (positive control) and healthy volunteers (negative control). Clinical staging and grading of OSCC was recorded. A double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the level of Scc-AG in serum and saliva.
Results:
Statistically significant difference for serum and salivary Scc-Ag, was found between the groups; OSCC, OLP on one hand and healthy controls on the other hand. No statistically significant difference was found between OSCC and OLP control groups in serum levels, while for salivary Scc-Ag a statistically significant difference was found between these two groups, with the higher values in OLP. Staging and grading in OSCC group were not found to be related to Scc-Ag level.
Conclusion:
Serum Scc-Ag cannot be used as a biomarker to differentiate between oral malignant and chronic inflammatory lesions. On the other hand, salivary Scc-Ag determination provides results more reliable than serum Scc-Ag and could be used in monitoring inflammatory oral disease activity as well as malignant conditions and could differentiate between them.