Diagnostic Potential of Salivary Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Oral Cancer

Abstract

This article analyzes the diagnostic potential of salivary biomarkers for the early detection of oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), based on contemporary scientific research. The diagnostic significance of saliva as a non-invasive and readily obtainable biological fluid was assessed, along with the presence of various molecular alterations in saliva that reflect the cancer process. The analysis examined the potential of salivary protein biomarkers, microRNAs, metabolites, and exosomal mRNAs for the detection of OSCC. Studies have demonstrated significant alterations in certain biomarkers associated with OSCC, with some showing high diagnostic performance. Furthermore, combining multiple biomarkers may improve diagnostic accuracy. In particular, salivary metabolomic studies have identified numerous metabolic alterations, while studies of exosomal mRNAs have demonstrated promising results for certain markers and their combinations. At the same time, methodological differences among studies, limited sample sizes, and insufficient independent clinical validation of biomarkers remain major limitations to their implementation in clinical practice. Overall, salivary biomarkers represent a promising approach for the early and non-invasive detection of oral cancer; however, large-scale, standardized, and multicenter studies are required to determine their true clinical utility in diagnosis.