INDORE, Aug 13: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore have developed a non-invasive technique that could help identify early signs of oral cancer through saliva and swab samples collected from the inner lining of the mouth.
The researchers said the method could eventually provide a faster and more affordable screening option, particularly in areas where access to specialised cancer diagnostic facilities remains limited.
Unlike conventional diagnosis, which generally involves a biopsy and removal of tissue from the affected area, the proposed technique does not require an invasive procedure. Researchers said this could make screening more convenient and suitable for repeated monitoring of people at high risk.
The team plans to validate the findings in larger and more diverse patient groups before developing targeted tests that could potentially be used in routine clinical settings.
The study examined oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of oral cancer, as well as oral submucous fibrosis, a condition associated with the use of areca nut, gutkha and tobacco that can develop into cancer.
Researchers analysed saliva and soft swab samples collected from the oral lining using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, an advanced laboratory technique used to identify molecular changes.
The analysis revealed distinct alterations associated with fat metabolism, energy production, oxidative stress, tissue repair and immune responses among healthy individuals, patients with oral submucous fibrosis and those with oral cancer.
According to the researchers, some of these molecular changes could be detected before cancer becomes clinically visible, potentially providing an opportunity for earlier intervention.
Combining information obtained from saliva with findings from oral swab samples also helped researchers build a broader molecular profile of changes occurring as healthy tissue progresses towards precancerous lesions and cancer.
The research was conducted under the leadership of IIT Indore professor Hem Chandra Jha. He said oral cancer produces molecular changes in saliva and the oral mucosal surface before becoming clinically apparent.
The researchers aim to translate these molecular signals into practical screening tools that could assist in earlier diagnosis and monitoring of high-risk oral lesions.
The findings have been published in the British Journal of Cancer. A patent application covering the technology has also been filed and is currently under process.
Before the technique can be introduced into routine clinical practice, researchers said it will require validation among larger and more diverse patient populations.
If successfully validated, the approach could potentially expand access to oral cancer screening in remote and rural communities by offering a point-of-care, economical and non-invasive alternative for initial assessment.