This study investigated the role of saliva in the pathogenesis of Oropharyngeal (OP) cancer, which is usually squamous cell carcinoma, the most common head and neck malignancy and accounts for 2 to 4% of all new cancers, and is primarily induced by exposure to tobacco.
A synergistic effect of cigarette smoke (CS) and saliva on oral cancer cells was demonstrated; this synergism is based on the reaction between redox active metals in saliva and low reactive free radicals in CS, which results in the production of highly active hydroxyl free radicals. Thus, when exposed to CS, salivary behavior is reversed and the saliva loses its antioxidant capacity and becomes a potent prooxidant milieu. The devastating role of CS-borne aldehydes was demonstrated as well. Based on these results and on our recent reports demonstrating that CS destroys various salivary components, including protective ones such as peroxidase, the most important salivary antioxidant enzyme, more study is recommended.
Read More