Oral Cavity Calprotectin and Lactoferrin Levels in Relation to Radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein, and calprotectin, a calcium binding protein, are sensitive markers of inflammation and their fecal levels increase during radiotherapy of prostate cancer patients. With this background, we analyzed mouthrinse calprotectin and lactoferrin levels of head- and neck-cancer patients before, during and after radiotherapy. METHODS: Twenty cancer patients (mean age 55.85 ± 15.01, 80% male), who had been planned to undergo radiotherapy to the head and neck area, were included in this study. Mouthrinse samples were collected before radiotherapy, at the 3rd and 6th weeks of radiotherapy and 4 weeks after the radiotherapy. Mouthrinse samples were analyzed for calprotectin and lactoferrin using commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: Calprotectin levels increased significantly during radiotherapy (p = 0.022). Both markers, lactoferrin (p = 0.011) and calprotectin (p = 0.006), decreased significantly after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Present study results may suggest that the elevations in calprotectin and lactoferrin levels during radiotherapy reflect the increased and emerging inflammatory environment in the oral cavity, thus may increase the risk of periodontal disease initiation or progression.

Human ß-Defensins in Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancers.

Head and neck cancers are malignant growths with high death rates, which makes the early diagnosis of the affected patients of utmost importance. Over 90% of oral cavity cancers come from squamous cells, and the tongue, oral cavity, and salivary glands are the most common locations for oral squamous cell carcinoma lesions. Human ß-defensins (hBDs), which are mainly produced by epithelial cells, are cationic peptides with a wide antimicrobial spectrum. In addition to their role in antimicrobial defense, these peptides also take part in the regulation of the immune response. Recent studies produced evidence that these small antimicrobial peptides are related to the gene and protein expression profiles of tumors. While the suppression of hBDs is a common finding in head and neck cancer studies, opposite findings were also presented. In the present narrative review, the aim will be to discuss the changes in the hBD expression profile during the onset and progression of head and neck cancers. The final aim will be to discuss the use of hBDs as diagnostic markers of head and neck cancers.