Natural Sciences, Stomotology, 2026
ISSN: 1829-006X
PROTOCOL OF COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MMP2 & E-CADHERIN IN SALIVA WITH MMP9 IN SERUM BY ELISA METHOD IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (OSCC) PATIENTS
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Submitted: 2026-04-08
© 2026 by author(s) and The Gufo Inc.
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial International License
(CC BY-NC 4.0).
Abstract
Background: Oral cancer is one among the foremost fatal public health problems within the Indian subcontinent and
it is the second leading cancer.1 This is attributable to the habitual and persistent use of various cost-effective
tobacco products including reverse smoking. 2
There is a need to identify biomarkers with potential for behaviour prediction of oral cancer.3 MMP-2 and MMP-9 are
a subgroup of proteinases and in oral Squamous cell Carcinoma(OSCC) patients may be useful to predict the disease
free survival period by, predicting metastatic potential & recurrence potential of the disease as earlier studies have
indicated the likelihood of their association with the metastasis and prognosis of OSCC .9 Also E-cadherin disruption
and shortening has been shown to play a synergistic role in the process of metastasis.10
Objective: In our study, we will evaluate MMP2, E-Cadherin in saliva with & MMP9 in serum in pre-operative &
follow-up OSCC patients as it is expected to help in improving assessment of prognosis of the patient.
Method:The protocol of this investigation were approved by the Institutional Review Board. Unstimulated saliva &
serum of pre-surgical OSCC patients and six-monthly follow-up patients will be analysed for selected parameters by
ELISA method and compared with each other and with controls.
Results:The study results will give an indication of metastatic potential and recurrence probability of the OSCC
patients thereby helping to plan the treatment for them to give best possible prognosis besides indicating that saliva is
a vital diagnostic tool for disease mapping.
Conclusion: The likely drawbacks, if any, will be small sample size and errors in methodology and the high cost of
ELISA tests besides it being a very sensitive essay method. However, since many researchers have stated the
usefulness of these biomarkers based on their studies and as the combination of gelatinases in their most predictable
bodyfluid assays alongwith soluble or free form E-cadherin estimation is more likely to give information on tumour
behavior in terms of, metastases and recurrence. If the hypothesis of this study is proven valid then, it will be an
important reason to develop a Point-of-care device for mass screening of the study parameters and will also help the
surgeon in better treatment designing for the benefit of patients.