European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF CIRCULATING INTERFERON- ? IN ORAL LEUKOPLAKIA AND ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Dr. Preeti Ahankare BDS, MDS, Dr. Sangeeta Patankar MDS and *Dr. Gokul Sridharan MDS, PhD, DMLE

ABSTRACT

Background: Human immune system plays an important role in host defense against various pathogens. Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a common malignancy of multifactorial etiology which is characterized by an altered host immune mechanism. Interferons are important immune mediators with effective anti-tumor mechanisms. Assessment of the clinical utility of these immune mediators may aid in efficient management and improved prognosis in oral leukoplakia and OSCC. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of interferon-γ by analyzing and comparing their serum levels in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Serum samples collected from study participants categorized into apparently normal controls (n=10), oral leukoplakia (n=10) and clinically and microscopically diagnosed oral squamous cell carcinoma (n=10) were analyzed using ELISA technique to determine the interferon- γ levels (pg/ml) in the three groups. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and student t-test at p<0.05 was performed to evaluate the differences between the groups. Results and Conclusion: Comparison of the serum interferon- γ levels between the three groups revealed a statistically significant increase in their levels in oral leukoplakia than in apparently normal controls and the levels were decreased in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients than in oral leukoplakia. Decrease interferon- γ levels suggest a reduced effectiveness of host immune response in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Assessment of interferon- γ in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma may aid in its clinical utility as an adjuvant therapeutic strategy for better prognosis.

Keywords: Leukoplakia, oral; Mouth neoplasms, Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Immune system; Interferons; Interferon gamma