Systematic review of the role of genomic salivary biomarkers in the early detection of oral cancer

Abstract

Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, and metastasize to any other part of the body. India reports approximately one-fourth of global incidences of oral cancer annually, that is, around 77,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths. While cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers with a global incidence of more than 350,000 new cases and 177,000 deaths every year. Since the average 5-year survival rate of oral cancer on early diagnosis is 77.3% in stages I and II along with a better prognosis, but only 32.2% in stages III and IV, early detection of oral cancer is pertinent for prompt treatment of the problem at its grassroot level to decrease the subsequent morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. This article has been written as a compilation of the various genomic salivary biomarkers that have been detected in the saliva of cancer patients to inculcate a better understanding of these biomarkers and the role they play in the early detection of oral cancer. This will provide adequate knowledge to general and oral surgeons, as well as cancer biologists about the salivary diagnostic markers which will act as an adjunct to the traditional methods of cancer detection. The articles were selected from PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar. The articles with higher academic relevance were selected.