Salivary Interleukin 17a and IL1 as a Dependent Positive Predictive Biomarker for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Iraqi Patients

Background: Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer in human. Over 90% of malignant neoplasms of the head and neck are diagnosed as squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity. In addition, its diagnosis is often late due to unavailability of predictive reliable measurable biomarkers. Interleukin 17 is one of pro-inflammatory cytokines manufactured by T-helper cells. It usually binds to type I cell-surface receptor named interleukin. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) represents a master cytokine of local and systemic inflammation. It exerts both beneficial, promoting innate immunity against invading microorganisms, and harmful roles in a plethora of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases including cancer. The purpose of the current study was to explore the predictive role of salivary interleukin 17 and IL1 in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma in comparison with healthy individuals.Method: Patients with histopathologic ally-confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma (40 patients) and 40 normal healthy subjects (controls) were involved in this study. Unstimulated saliva was collected from each individual. Salivary interleukin-17 and IL1 levels were evaluated for both groups using Enzyme- Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) technique.Results: Mean value of IL-17 and IL1 levels were significantly increased in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared to controls.Conclusion: Interleukin-17 and IL1 has particular advantage to be used as a positive predictive factor for prognosis and diagnosis of OSCC.