Salivary Protein Dynamics and RC in Patients With HNC

Maria Gonzalez Agurto and the team designed this study for the longitudinal assessment of the role of specific proteins on radiotherapy caries (RC) onset in patients (pts) with head and neck cancer (HNC) up to 1year post-IMRT using a using a daily dose of 5000ppm fluoride.

Researchers collected the data corresponding dental and salivary protein from 40 pts with HNC prior IMRT, at 6 months (T1), and 12 months (T2) post-IMRT (ethical approval and consent obtained). DMFT index, salivary flow rate, mucin 5B/7, Immunoglobulin A (IgA), cystatin S, and α-amylase were the key quantifiable parameters for the analysis.

Results revealed that at T2, 45% of pts exhibited at least one carious lesion, alongside a notable decrease in remaining teeth (65% < 21), salivary flow rate (< 50%), and protein secretion (< 0.05) following IMRT. Analysis showed a correlation between T1 IgA concentration/secretion rate and RC (P < 0.05). Additionally, IgA and total protein levels at T1 may serve as predictive markers (AUC 82.3%) for identifying pts at higher risk of developing RC at T2.

The study highlighted a significant correlation between the development of RC among pts with HNC post-IMRT thus presenting salivary proteins as potential biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of RC hence improved the quality of life after treatment.

The study was funded by Agencia Nacional Investigación y Desarrollo, Chile .

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38886263/

Agurto M.G., Bozorgi S.S., Carpenter G., et al. (2024). “Longitudinal study of the role of salivary proteins on radiation-related caries onset in head and neck cancer patients using 5000 ppm fluoride dentifrice up to one-year post-intensity modulated radiotherapy.” Clin Oral Investig. 2024 Jun 18;28(7):379. doi: 10.1007/s00784-024-05788-y. PMID: 38886263.