Salivary exosomes as biomarkers for early diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Natalie Bozyk; Kai Dun Tang; Xi Zhang; Martin Batstone; Liz Kenny; Sarju Vasani; Chamindie Punyadeera

Oral Oncology Reports (Jun 2023)

Salivary exosomes as biomarkers for early diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Natalie Bozyk,
Kai Dun Tang,
Xi Zhang,
Martin Batstone,
Liz Kenny,
Sarju Vasani,
Chamindie Punyadeera

Affiliations

Natalie Bozyk: Centre for Biomedical Technologies, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
Kai Dun Tang: Centre for Biomedical Technologies, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
Xi Zhang: Saliva & Liquid Biopsy Translational Laboratory, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
Martin Batstone: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
Liz Kenny: Department of Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
Sarju Vasani: Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia; Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland, Australia
Chamindie Punyadeera: Saliva & Liquid Biopsy Translational Laboratory, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ), Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia; Corresponding author. Saliva & Liquid Biopsy Translational Laboratory, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery Griffith University, 46, Don Young Rd, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6
p. 100017

Abstract

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Introduction: Due to late diagnosis, prognosis is poor for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Saliva is in close proximity to tumours originating from the oral cavity and by profiling exosomes derived from saliva can be used as biomarkers to early tumour detection. Material and methods: In this pilot study, we have recruited cancer free healthy controls (N = 20) to determine the best saliva collection method to obtain exosome with high yields and purity An independent cohort of cancer free healthy controls (N = 20), oral potentially malignant disease (OPMD, N = 20) and OSCC (N = 10) patients were recruited for characterisation of exosomes. Exosomes were isolated and characterised from saliva samples using standard techniques. Protein content in salivary exosomes was quantified using mass spectrometry. Results: High yields of exosome were detected in whole mouth saliva. Three-protein panel (AMER3, LOXL2 and AL9A1) was able to discriminate cancer-free controls from OPMD/OSCC patients with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93, a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100%. Similarly, a three-protein panel was able to discriminate cancer-free healthy controls and OPMD patients with an AUC of 0.86, 80% sensitivity and 85% specificity. When combining PSB7, AMER3, and LOXL2 as a panel, we were able to discriminate OSCC patients from cancer-free healthy controls with an AUC 0.96, sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 75%. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that PSB7, AMER3, and LOXL2 as a panel may serve as a promising diagnostic biomarker for OSCC, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Published in Oral Oncology Reports

ISSN: 2772-9060 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/oral-oncology-reports

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