Immunological and Biochemical Markers in Oral Carcinogenesis: The Public Health Perspective

Abstract

Oral health is an integral component of general health and well being and a basic human right. Dental public health is probably the most challenging specialty of dentistry. Because of the lack of adequate resources among other factors, many people are likely to suffer from dental diseases. Despite great improvements in the oral health status of populations across the world, the burden and impact of dental diseases are still high. This is particularly true among underprivileged groups in both developed and developing communities. Oral diseases and conditions, including oral cancer, oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS, dental trauma, craniofacial anomalies, and noma, all have broad impacts on health and well-being. Oral cancer, the sixth most common cancer worldwide continues to be most prevalent cancer related to the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other carcinogenic products. Nevertheless, significant reduction in mortality can be achieved by advances in early diagnosis and implementation of multidisciplinary treatment programs leading to improvement of survivorship and better quality of life. The present study was designed to evaluate the immunologic and biochemical markers in oral carcinogenesis using circulating immune complexes (CIC), copper, iron, and selenium concentrations as assessment endpoints. Study results indicated an increase in CIC and copper levels, and a decrease in iron and selenium concentrations in oral cancer patients compared to controls. The implications of these findings for public health are discussed.

Serum levels of ferritin, copper, and zinc in patients with oral cancer

“…[50] Khanna reported significantly decreased level of ferritin among patients with precancerous and cancerous lesions by means of calorimetric method, which is inconsistent with our study result. [51] On the contrary, Richie et al, found a relationship between increased values of ferritin and total iron binding capacity with increased risk of oral cancer. [52] Mahdavi et al, studied the levels of serum copper, zinc, iron, and ferritin in hyperlipidemic and healthy individuals, in which the levels of serum lipids and ferritin were measured using enzymatic method, the levels of serum copper and zinc were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometric method, and the values of ferritin were measured using ELISA method.…”

Status of trace elements in saliva of oral precancer and oral cancer patients

“…[21] Inadequate nutrition due to burning sensation and erosions in OSMF patients and increased tumour burden in OSCC patients are considered to be important factors for iron depletion. [22] CONCLUSION In the recent years a surge in number of studies involving serum levels of trace elements like Cu, Zn and Fe in various malignancies have been observed. The results of the study reveal that salivary levels Cu, Zn and Fe could be used as…”

Effect of smoking on the genetic makeup of toll-like receptors 2 and 6

“…In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of smoking is variable, reaching >50% in certain regions of the country 5. A large number of diseases are attributed to smoking 6,7. Smoking accounts for ∼30% of all cancer deaths in the developed countries, the majority of which is caused by lung cancer 8.…”