Interleukin-1 beta in unstimulated whole saliva is a potential biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma

• The objective of this study was to evaluate cytokines in unstimulated whole saliva.
• Sixteen oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients were included in this study.
• IL-1 beta showed significantly difference between pre- and post-operation.
• Releasing of IL-1 beta from cultured OSCC cells was confirmed.
• IL-1 beta may be useful for detection of early stage OSCC.

The objective of this study was to evaluate cytokines in unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients as compared to those with pre- and post-operation for evaluation as markers of OSCC. Sixteen OSCC patients were included in this study. Cytokine concentrations in resting saliva were measured using a Bio-Plex suspension array system. Only interleukin-1 (IL-1) beta showed significantly different cytokine concentration in saliva between pre- and post-operation. IL-1 beta was released from cultured OSCC cells confirmed by ELISA and immunohistochemistry.From this study, IL-1 beta in UWS may be useful for detection of early stage OSCC. More studies are needed to accept the utility of IL-1 beta in UWS for predicting, diagnosis and evaluation of OSCC.