Salivary MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-13 Levels in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of present study was to evaluate salivary matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) , MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-13 levels in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) as well as in healthy controls. Thirty cases of OLP (bilateral lesions, papular and reticular lesions, and Wickham lines) clinically and histopathologically (group A), 30 with oral SCCs (group B), and 30 with no history of oral cancer, other lesions or lichen planus (group C) were enrolled at the Department of Oral Medicine School of Dentistry, Zahedan, Iran. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected and laboratory measurement of salivary concentration of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3 and MMP-13 was conducted by immuno-sorbent enzyme-linked methods. Data analysis was performed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. In the present study, MMP-2 and MMP-13 levels were higher in oral SCC patients than in OLP cases  and healthy individuals. More research is required to assess MMP links with tumor invasion.     

Serum Levels of MMP9 and MMP2 in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common cancer in the oral area. Matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) and especially MMP-2 and MMP-9 are increased in malignancy and lymph nodeinvolvement in oral SCCs. We aimed to evaluate the serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with oralSCC compared to normal subjects and their relation with clinicopathological findings. Materials and Methods:In this case control study, 20 patients with oral SCC and 20 healthy subjects were included and serum levelsof MMP-2 and MMP-9 were compared between groups. Also, the correlation between these markers withclinicopathological findings including grade (T) and node (N) were evaluated. Results: Patients with oral SCChad significantly higher serum levels of MMP-2 (p=0.01) and MMP-9 (p<0.001) compared to healthy subjects.With increase in grade T, MMP-2 was significantly increased (p=0.001), but in the MMP-9 case this was notsignificant (p=0.27). The levels of MMP-2 (p=0.002) and MMP-9 (p=0.01) in cases with lymph node involvementand that of MMP-2 in subjects with smoking history (p=0.001) were significantly high. There was significantlypositive correlation between MMP-2 with grade T tumor (r=0.598, p=0.005), lymph node involvement (r=0.737,p<0.001) and smoking (r=0.674, p=0.001) and also between MMP-9 and lymph node involvement (r=0.474,p=0.03). Conclusions: Both markers are significantly increased in oral SCC compared to healthy subjects.However, MMP-2 was better for evaluating lymph node involvement and tumor grade.     

Serum Level of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in Patients with Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Clinical Significance

Background: Laryngeal cancer is an important malignancy in head and neck area and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) is the most common type accounting for 95% of cases. Increase in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) indifferent tumors and their correlation with tumor invasiveness has been documented. However, most studieshave evaluated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and few have evaluated serum levels. The aim of current studywas to evaluate serum levels in patients with laryngeal SCC compared to normal subjects and assess any relationwith tumor clinicopathological findings. Materials and Methods: In this case control study, 20 patients with oralSCC and 20 healthy subjects were included. Serum levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were compared between groupsand correlations with findings including grade (T) and node involvement (N) were evaluated. Results: Patientswith laryngeal SCC had significantly higher serum levels of MMP-2 (p=0.01) and MMP-9 (p=0.03) comparedto healthy subjects. Patients with higher T stage (T3,4) had significantly higher MMP-2 (p=0.04) and MMP-9(p=0.01). There was significant positive correlation between serum levels of MMP-2 with T stage (r=0.45, p=0.04)and lymph node involvement (r=0.563, p=0.01) and between levels of MMP-9 with T stage (r=0.527, p=0.01).Conclusions: Our results showed that compared to healthy subjects, both MMP-2 and MMP-9 are significantlyincreased in serum of laryngeal SCC cases. MMP-2 was correlated with lymph node involvement while MMP-9has stronger correlation with T stage compared to MMP-2.     

Comparison of Salivary and Serum Soluble CD44 Levels between Patients with Oral SCC and Healthy Controls

Background: The most common type of oral cancer is oral squamous cell carcinoma. If it is diagnosed in the earlystages; the success of the treatment can be increased. It seems that ELISA-based techniques as a screening tool forsociety are the most cost-effective methods for early diagnosis. CD44 is a key marker for the detection of SCC stemcells. The aim of this study was to compare the level of soluble CD44 in saliva and serum between patients with oralSCC and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Saliva and serum were collected from 20 patients with primaryOSCC and 20 healthy persons as control group. The samples were evaluated by an ELISA test kit. Data were analyzedby SPSS software version 22, chi-square, ANOVA, T-test and Spearman correlation test. Results: The mean of solubleCD44 level in serum and saliva of the patient and control groups are 531.51±228.95 and 453.3±113.74 (for serum)and 48.53±59.02 and 17.76±39.14 (for saliva) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in serumand saliva solCD44 level between the patient and control groups (P value = 0.182 and P value = 0.061 respectively).Also, there was no significant correlation between the solCD44 level in each patient and control group in serum (Pvalue = 0.61) and in saliva (P value = 0.445). Conclusions: Determination of solCD44 level in saliva and serum canbe a useful method for diagnosis the person’s involvement with cancer cells and the cancer in the early stages. Butaccording to the controversial outcomes of past studies, larger and more accurate studies are needed in groups withmore cases of oral cancer.     

Serum Level of Mast Cell Tryptase in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Lack of Correlation with Clinicopathologic Factors

Background: Mast cells can influence tumor progression via different pathways and increased mast celldensity has been demonstrated in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). It has been shown that the serumtryptase level is elevated with some malignant tumours and may thus be a useful parameter. However, there areno data available about OSCC. The main aim of this study was the evaluation of mast cell tryptase (MCT) levelin OSCC patient serum. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional, analytic study, the circulating levels ofMCT were assessed in sera of 55 OSCC patients and 34 healthy individuals with ELISA technique. Results: Theserum MCT level in OSCC patients was 12-14 ng/ml, which was not significantly higher than the healthy controlgroup. While the serum level of MCT was higher with larger tumours, there was no apparent correlation withclinico-pathological features such as patient age, gender, tumor location, stage, nodal status, distant metastasis,histological grade and smoking. Conclusions: Our findings showed that despite the results obtained from studiesof other malignant tumors, serum level of MCT in OSCC patients could not be a credited as a reliable indicatorof the presence or progression of tumours.