Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Multiplexed Fluorescent Microarray for Human Salivary Protein Analysis Using Polymer Microspheres and Fiber-optic Bundles
Published on: October 10, 2013
Is salivary epidermal growth factor a biomarker for oral leukoplakia? A preliminary study
Filipe Jaeger1, Ana Carla Assunção1, Patrícia Carlos Caldeira1
1Department of Oral Pathology and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to compare the salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels between patients with oral leukoplakia (OL) and clinically healthy individuals, to evaluate the association between salivary and tissular EGF, and to correlate EGF with clinicopathologic data, including the presence of dysplasia.
Study Design:
Salivary EGF levels were measured in 32 patients and 32 controls. The tissue expressions of EGF and its receptor (EGFR) were immunohistochemically evaluated.
Results:
Salivary EGF levels were similar in patients with OL compared with controls. There was no association between the salivary levels and immunohistochemical expression of EGF. An absence of EGF detection by immunohistochemistry was associated with development of multiple lesions. Dysplastic lesions showed a tendency toward presenting higher salivary EGF levels.
Conclusions:
Currently, it is not possible to indicate salivary EGF as a biomarker for OL. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of EGF in oral carcinogenesis. A follow-up study is necessary to evaluate the changes in EGF values following the surgical excision of OL.
More Related Videos
08:37Sampling Human Indigenous Saliva Peptidome Using a Lollipop-Like Ultrafiltration Probe: Simplify and Enhance Peptide Detection for Clinical Mass Spectrometry
Published on: August 7, 2012
08:28Validated Immunochemical Assay for Comprehensive Determination of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Released from and Bound to Cells
Published on: May 9, 2025