SALIVARY PROTEINS AS MARKERS OF RADIATION-RELATED ORAL TOXICITIES

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Lately, there has been a great search for molecular-based treatments. <h3>Objective</h3> The aim of this study was to characterize the salivary proteomic profile of patients treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its correlation with the risk of developing severe radiation-related oral toxicities. <h3>Methods</h3> Thirty-five OSCC patients submitted to radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were included. Xerostomia, dysphagia, dysphagia-related pain (DRP), dysgeusia, and oral candidiasis (OC) were evaluated daily. Whole saliva was collected prior to RT and subjected to target proteomic analysis; results were statistically compared to oral toxicities and clinical outcomes. <h3>Results</h3> Eighty percent of patients presented stage III/IV OSCC. Sixty-three percent were submitted to CRT protocols, mean RT dose of 66.7 Gy. 42.9% and 60% of patients presented with severe (grades 2-3) xerostomia and dysphagia, respectively; 35.3% presented severe DRP. 68.6% presented grade 2 dysgeusia, and 25.7% presented OC over 4 weeks during RT. Target proteomic analysis revealed a total of 56 proteins from which statical significance was observed in 11 correlated with severe xerostomia, 1 with severe dysphagia, 4 with severe DRP, 1 with dysgeusia, and 19 with over 4 weeks of OC. Eight proteins were concomitant to xerostomia and OC, and 1 protein was concomitant for dysgeusia and OC. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The present study is a pioneer in characterizing possible biomarkers that may allow the identification of patients that are more likely to develop severe RT oral toxicities. Further studies are necessary in order to validate and better understand the role of these proteins in the pathophysiology of radiation-related oral toxicities.