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Vu Ho

    Vu Ho

    Previous investigations have demonstrated that immune activation and chronic inflammation may be one of the causes of oncogenesis. A previous study from our lab has shown significant increases of NF-κB dependent cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1α,... more
    Previous investigations have demonstrated that immune activation and chronic inflammation may be one of the causes of oncogenesis. A previous study from our lab has shown significant increases of NF-κB dependent cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 in different oral fluids from oral lichen planus (OLP) patients. The aim of this analysis was to explore the potential of detecting these cytokines in whole unstimulated saliva (WUS) in monitoring the malignant transformation of OLP. Thirteen patients with OLP (with epithelial dysplasia), 13 cases with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and 13 age-sex matched controls were enrolled in the study. The WUS samples were collected and the level of TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 in WUS was determined by ELISA. In moderate and severe dysplasia, the level of each cytokine was significantly higher than in control. In moderate dysplasia, TNF-α and IL-1α were significantly increased at a level without difference from OSCC, but IL-6 and IL-8 was detected at a concentration significantly lower than OSCC. In severe dysplasia, the level of TNF-α was also not significantly different from that of OSCC, and the level of IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 was still significantly lower than that of OSCC. The level of four cytokines between smokers and non-smokers in each group did not show a significant difference. These results indicate that the change of NF-κB dependent cytokines in WUS may in part reflect the malignant transformation of OLP and the analysis of these cytokines and may provide a useful, non-invasive surrogate endpoint for monitoring malignant transformation as well as the therapeutic response of OLP. This is the first in vivo study utilizing saliva to confirm preclinical data that NF-κB is upregulated in oral carcinogenesis. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
    To explore the feasibility of detection of the level of NF-kappaB-dependent cytokines in oral fluids from patient with oral lichen planus (OLP) for clinical application, 13 OLP subjects were enrolled in the study as were 13... more
    To explore the feasibility of detection of the level of NF-kappaB-dependent cytokines in oral fluids from patient with oral lichen planus (OLP) for clinical application, 13 OLP subjects were enrolled in the study as were 13 age-sex-matched controls. In each subject, the whole unstimulated saliva (WUS), mixture of saliva and isotonic saline oral rinse (Saliva-NaCl), and lesion tissue transudates (TT) were collected by standard techniques. The level of cytokines, TNF-alpha, IL-1-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 in three types of oral fluids was determined by ELISA. In the three types of oral fluids, a significantly higher level of these cytokines was detected in OLP patients than in normal controls. These results indicate that NF-kappaB-dependent inflammatory cytokines may be detected at increased levels in certain oral fluids which may have diagnostic and prognostic potential for monitoring disease activity and making therapeutic decisions in patients with OLP.