Serum circulating immune complexes as prognostic indicators in premalignant and malignant lesions of oral cavity during and following radiotherapy

Abstract

The aim of the study has been to quantitatively estimate and compare the circulating immune complexes (CIC) in pre-malignant and malignant lesions of oral cavity and to serially monitor the CIC levels in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) during / following radiotherapy as to assess the status of the disease and to understand the prognostic significance. The present study was carried out on 90 individuals divided into three groups and CIC was estimated by spectrophotometric method using polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method. The mean CIC level was determined in each group and was correlated with the degree of differentiation and degree of dysplasia in malignant and pre-malignant group respectively. The effect of radiotherapy on the level of CIC was studied after 2400 rad and after one week of 4500 - 5000 rad. It was observed that the mean CIC level in the control group was significantly lower (59.56 ± 8.11) when compared with the pre-malignant group (75.93 ± 12.89) and malignant group (92.66 ± 13.96). Among the pre-malignant group, leukoplakia had the highest mean CIC level followed by lichen planus and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), suggesting its greater malignant potential. No correlation could be established between degree of differentiation and degree of dysplasia with the CIC levels in malignant and premalignant groups respectively. There was a definite decrease in the mean CIC levels in patients undergoing radiotherapy. The pretreatment value of CIC can be used as a prognostic indicator. A high CIC level would probably indicate a poor prognosis.