title: Salivary interleukin-6 in the detection of oral cancer and precancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral cancer is a major health concern in many parts of the world. Despite its low survival rates, when detected early or in the precancer stage, it can drastically increase the survival rates. This strongly supports the need for sensitive biomarkers to perk up early detection of oral cancers. The aim of the study is to estimate whether salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) can be used as a molecular marker to diagnose leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample of 75 cases was divided into three groups of 25 patients each: group I: oral leukoplakia; group II: OSCC; group III: control group. Saliva samples were collected by simple drooling method and the concentration of IL-6 was determined by using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When the concentration of salivary IL-6 among the three groups was compared, the results were statistically significant ("P" value <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increase in salivary IL-6 in leukoplakia and OSCC might point out its local production by the tumor cells. The difference in its levels between these two lesions might indicate the progression of precancer to cancer. Further longitudinal studies with increased sample size are needed to substantiate the utility of salivary IL-6 as diagnostic or prognostic marker for oral cancer and precancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Tamilnadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: Niranzena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panneer Selvam
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Tamilnadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: Jayachandran
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sadaksharam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6
keywords: biomarker; oral leukoplakia; oral squamous cell carcinoma; salivary interleukin-6