Recent advances in mass spectrometric proteomics provide a promising result in utilizing saliva to explore biomarkers for diagnostic purposes, according to researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry (OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, June 2011, Vol. 15:6, pp. 353-361).
They conducted systematic review of peer-reviewed articles published through July 2009 to define and summarize disease-related salivary biomarkers identified by mass spectrometry proteomics.
Of the 243 articles that met their selection criteria, the researchers selected 21 studies and identified 180 biomarkers for conditions that included Sjögren's syndrome, squamous cell carcinoma, dental caries, diabetes, breast cancer, periodontitis, gastric cancer, systemic sclerosis, oral lichen planus, bleeding oral cavity, and graft-versus-host disease.
"Except for Sjögren's syndrome, the majority of studies with the same disease produce inconsistent biomarkers," the study authors noted.
Future studies could be improved through larger sample sizes and standardization of sample collection/treatment protocols, they added.
