2ⁿᵈ Edition of the Cancer R&D World Conference 2026

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate levels of salivary proteins Alpha 1 antitrypsin and macrophage migration inhibitory factor and to determine association of clinical severity of grade of oral mucositis with change in expression of Alpha 1 antitrypsin and macrophage migration inhibitory factor.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the radiotherapy department of Ziauddin Hospital North Nazimabad, Radiotherapy Department of Neurospine and Cancer Institute Karachi. Total of 48 patients were assessed according to WHO criteria for clinical score of radiation-induced oral mucositis. Salivary protein levels of AIAT and MIF were measured using a Bioassay Technology ELISA kit.      Data was computed using SPSS version 23.00

Results: Male patients were 75% (n = 36) with a mean age of 51.33 +13.9. Approximately 31.3% (n=13) had no habit of any history followed by 27.1% (n=13) who reported tobacco chewing, 70.8% (n=34) belonged to the middle class, and 20.8% (n=10) had a positive family history of head and neck cancer. Right-sided buccal mucosa was a common site, majority patients had stage II disease [54.2% (n=26)]. Grade II and III mucositis were most frequent with major radiation dose of 65 gray 39.6 % (n= 19).The mean protein levels was increased as duration of radiation was increased. Statistical insignificant values of both proteins at 2-3 weeks of radiation (p=0.192 for MIF and 0.784 for A1AT) while Statistical significant value of both proteins at 6-7 weeks of radiation (p=0.006 for MIF and 0.014 for A1AT).

Conclusion: The salivary macrophage migration inhibitory factor and alpha-1 antitrypsin levels were significantly associated with radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. Patients with low protein levels had low grade of mucositis and those with high protein levels showed high grade of mucositis.