Industry Odisha Bureau, Aug 13: Researchers at IIT Indore have developed a non-invasive approach that could help detect early signs of oral cancer using saliva and a simple swab from the inner surface of the mouth.
The technique could eventually lead to affordable and easy to use screening tools. It would help particularly in rural and remote areas where access to specialist cancer diagnostics remains limited. The findings have been published in the British Journal of Cancer. Meanwhile, a patent application has also been filed.
How does the method work?
Oral Cancer is currently confirmed through a biopsy, where tissue from a suspicious area is removed and examined. While biopsies remain an important diagnostic tool, they can be invasive and painful.
The team at IIT Indore studied people with oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of oral cancer. They also studied people with submucous fibrosis. Notably, it is a condition associated with areca nut and tobacco use that can become cancerous.
The researchers analysed saliva and oral swab samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. They identified molecular changes linked to fat and energy metabolism, oxidative stress, tissue repair, and immune activity.
They also found that the two samples provided complementary information. Saliva can capture chemical signals from across the mouth, while an oral swab collects cells and proteins directly from the tissue.
The team was led by IIT Indore professor Hem Chandra Jha. He believes that these molecular signals could help identify changes before cancer becomes clinically visible.
However, it is important to be noted that the method is still at the research stage. The team plans to conduct larger studies involving more diverse patient groups before developing targeted tests for routine use.
