Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers in Oral Precancerous Conditions Using ELISA: A Comparative Study Between OSMF, Leukoplakia, and Healthy Individuals

Background: Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) and leukoplakia are common oral precancerous conditions with the potential for malignant transformation. Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in their pathogenesis, with inflammatory cytokines serving as possible biomarkers. Aim: To evaluate and compare levels of key inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP) in patients with OSMF, leukoplakia, and healthy individuals using ELISA. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 participants were included: 30 each with clinically and histologically confirmed OSMF, leukoplakia, and 30 healthy controls. Salivary samples were collected and analyzed for TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results: Mean levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP were significantly elevated in OSMF and leukoplakia groups compared to controls (p < 0.01). OSMF group showed the highest mean TNF-α (65.4 ± 12.3 pg/mL), followed by leukoplakia (53.7 ± 10.2 pg/mL), and controls (18.5 ± 6.4 pg/mL). Similar trends were observed for IL-6 and CRP. A positive correlation was noted between clinical staging and cytokine levels. Conclusion: Elevated levels of inflammatory markers in OSMF and leukoplakia suggest their role in disease progression and potential for malignant transformation. These cytokines could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and monitoring.