Abstract
This study analyzed SPLUNC2A expression in patients who underwent head and neck radiotherapy and its associated side-effects. Study Design: Unstimulated whole-mouth saliva of head and neck cancer patients was collected before, during, and after radiotherapy. SPLUNC2A expression was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Thirty-two patients were included (mean age 58.3 years). Nineteen patients were irradiated in the oral cavity and 13 patients in the neck. Analysis included total SPLUNC2A, glycosylated, and non-glycosylated bands expression. Increasing non-glycosylated SPLUNC2A expression after radiotherapy was associated with severe mucositis; reducing expression was associated with candidiasis. Women, older patients, adjuvant chemotherapy, higher irradiation dose, and radiation field were associated with decreasing expression of PLUNC during and after therapy. Conclusion: The present study reports the association of SPLUNC2A expression in saliva with side effects of radiotherapy, suggesting that PLUNC proteins may play an important role in the oral microenvironment.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
