This observational study will evaluate whether salivary interleukin-6 levels and selected interleukin gene polymorphisms are associated with regional lymph node involvement in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Adult patients with histologically confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma will be enrolled before receiving any cancer-specific treatment. Participants will be classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of regional lymph node metastasis: OSCC N0M0 and OSCC N+M0.
The study does not involve any experimental treatment and does not change the standard diagnostic or therapeutic pathway. Each participant will provide a saliva sample using a sterile absorbent swab. The saliva sample will be used to measure interleukin-6 levels. Available biological material will also be used to analyze selected interleukin gene polymorphisms, including IL6, IL1B, IL10, IL8/CXCL8, and IL1RN.
The aim of the study is to explore whether these salivary and genetic markers may help characterize different biological patterns of locoregional progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Age 18 years or older
Histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
Oral squamous cell carcinoma site excluding oropharyngeal sites
Defined regional lymph node status allowing classification as OSCC N0M0 or OSCC N+M0
Age younger than 18 years
Oral squamous cell carcinoma involving oropharyngeal sites
Presence of distant metastasis
Previous OSCC-specific oncological treatment before saliva sample collection
The study population will include adult patients with histopathologically confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, enrolled before any OSCC-specific oncological treatment. Participants will be classified according to regional lymph node status into two observational cohorts: OSCC N0M0, defined as absence of regional lymph node metastasis and absence of distant metastasis, and OSCC N+M0, defined as presence of regional lymph node metastasis and absence of distant metastasis. Patients will be recruited from participating Italian study centres involved in the clinical management of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Cohort
Prospective
Saliva Collection and Biomarker Analysis
Other interventionParticipants will undergo saliva sample collection using a sterile disposable absorbent salivary swab before any OSCC-specific oncological treatment. Salivary samples will be analyzed to measure interleukin-6 levels. Available biological material will also be used to analyze selected interleukin gene polymorphisms, including IL6, IL1B, IL10, IL8/CXCL8, and IL1RN. No experimental treatment will be administered, and the study procedures will not modify the standard diagnostic or therapeutic pathway.
Difference in Salivary Interleukin-6 Levels Between OSCC N0M0 and OSCC N+M0 Patients
Salivary interleukin-6 levels will be compared between patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma without regional lymph node metastasis, classified as OSCC N0M0, and patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma with regional lymph node metastasis, classified as OSCC N+M0. Salivary interleukin-6 will be measured from saliva samples collected using sterile absorbent swabs and expressed as a continuous variable in pg/mL.
Association Between Regional Lymph Node Status and Interleukin Gene Polymorphisms
The association between regional lymph node status and selected interleukin gene polymorphisms will be evaluated by comparing genotype and/or allele frequencies of IL6, IL1B, IL10, IL8/CXCL8, and IL1RN between patients with OSCC N0M0 and patients with OSCC N+M0. Where appropriate, results will be expressed as odds ratios for regional lymph node metastasis.
Association Between Interleukin Gene Polymorphisms and Salivary Interleukin-6 Levels
The association between selected interleukin gene polymorphisms and salivary interleukin-6 levels will be assessed by comparing salivary interleukin-6 concentrations across genotype groups and/or through regression models using salivary interleukin-6 as a continuous dependent variable. Salivary interleukin-6 will be expressed in pg/mL.
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