Salivary Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors 2 Levels in Patients With Different Stages of Breast Cancer: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Breast cancer in women is a major health burden across the globe, which accounts for 12% of all new cancer cases and 25% of all cancers in women. Though studies have demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality and morbidity by periodic screening using mammography, its cost and exposure to radiation are prohibitive factors in subjecting the patients to a repetitive mammogram examination. Hence additional adjunct procedures which can overcome these disadvantages and enhance screening are advocated. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (c-erbB-2) is a biomarker that can be detected in saliva of breast cancer patients. An elevated level of this protein indicates the presence of an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Aim: The aim of our study was to determine the levels of salivary c-erbB-2 in patients diagnosed with different stages of breast cancer. Methods: 90 patients, histopathologically diagnosed with breast cancer were divided into three groups based on TNM staging (Stage I, II, and III) with 30 patients in each group. 3 ml of unstimulated saliva was collected from these patients and the protein was estimated using ELISA kit. Appropriate statistical tests were used to analyze the demographic details and mean salivary c-erbB-2 levels. Results: The mean salivary c-erbB-2 levels in groups I, II and III were 9.933(±5.105), 59.633(±17.14) and 146.695(±22.418) picograms/mL respectively. There was a significant increase in the levels of the protein with an increase in the TNM staging in patients with breast cancers. Conclusion: This study results throws light on the potential use of salivary c-erB-2 as an adjunct screening and prognostic tool for breast cancer. However further studies are recommended to assess the utility of this biomarker for the diagnosis and posttreatment monitoring of breast cancer.