NEW YORK: Specific protein markers can be identified and quantified in human saliva to provide an early, non-invasive diagnosis of breast cancer, a new study has found.
The study, published in the Journal of Cancer Investigation , describes how the onset of breast cancer produces a change in the normal type and amount of protein in glandular secretions from the salivary glands.
The protein profile in a healthy person is altered by the presence of cancer, it revealed.
The study is being applied to a "lab-on-a-chip" technology platform developed by biochemists at the University of Texas at Austin.
The ultimate goal is to bring this type of diagnostic test, which is capable of detecting the presence of cancer before a tumour forms, into the dental office or other health care facilities, the University said in a statement.
The technology aims to improve the ease and effectiveness with which dental professionals and other health care providers can provide quick, accurate diagnostic information and physician referrals to their patients, it said.
The study was a collaborative effort of Charles Streckfus, professor of diagnostics at the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, and William Dubinsky, a biochemist and professor of integrative biology and pharmacology at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and Lenora Bigler, clinical research professor with the UT Dental Branch.
The research found that saliva holds the codes to many medical secrets.
Influence of Saliva Medium on Freeing Heavy Metal Ion From Fixed Dentures
In dental-prosthetic practice, various kinds of fixed dentures, crowns and bridges, have very often been used in order to replace natural teeth and to respond to all health and esthetic needs. This study investigated the effect of saliva medium on migration of ions of heavy metals from fixed dentures that were fixed with various cements. Also, the influence of saliva medium on natural human teeth was observed. Potentiometric stripping analysis was used in order to determine the content of toxic heavy metals in the examined samples. The study confirmed that synthetic saliva had no significant influence on heavy metal ion migration from the natural teeth, whereas slight migration of some observed toxic heavy metal ions from the fixed dentures was present. This, however, indicates that these contents, although very low, must be taken seriously, because the above mentioned metals have cumulative effect which after some period of time may lead to functional disorders of some organs, and even to some very serious diseases.
Kalicanin B, Ajduković Z.
University of Nis, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Nis, Serbia.
Kalicanin B, Ajduković Z.
University of Nis, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Nis, Serbia.
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