title: EGF in saliva and tumor samples of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: The objective of this research was to investigate the salivary levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in comparison with clinically healthy individuals and to verify the immunoexpression of EGF in tumor samples. In addition, the relationship between salivary levels and tumoral EGF expression with clinicopathologic features was investigated. We carried out an investigation on EGF expression in lesion samples and in saliva of OSCC patients through immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. EGF salivary levels of OSCC patients were also compared with levels in saliva of healthy controls. EGF levels were significantly lower in OSCC patients in comparison with the control group. Smoking, tumor location, and alcohol consumption affected salivary levels of EGF. Strong immunoexpression of EGF was associated with a more aggressive histologic pattern of the lesion. There was no significant association among salivary levels and immunohistochemical expression of EGF. Although EGF expression is frequently observed in tumors, salivary levels of EGF are reduced in patients with OSCC samples. Tobacco and alcohol may decrease EGF in saliva, which may contribute to oral carcinogenesis. Indeed, further investigations are needed to elucidate the EGF pathways.
authors: Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Vanessa Fátima
authors: VF
authors: Bernardes
authors: Frederico Omar
authors: FO
authors: Gleber-Netto
authors: Sílvia Ferreira
authors: SF
authors: Sousa
authors: Tarcília Aparecida
authors: TA
authors: Silva
authors: Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães
authors: MH
authors: Abreu
authors: Maria Cássia Ferreira
authors: MC
authors: Aguiar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor