Distinct salivary antioxidant patterns linked to breast cancer molecular subtypes

Introduction

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous and complex disease characterized by distinct biological subtypes and numerous risk factors. Salivary biomarkers for BC are promising indicators of both oral and systemic health. Given the role of antioxidants in the development and progression of BC, assessing patient's antioxidant capacity through saliva may be a valuable strategy.

Material and methods

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant capacity of saliva in 134 women with BC and its correlation with prognostic factors. Total antioxidant capacity (TRAP) was measured using the high-sensitivity chemiluminescence technique.

Results

Significantly reduced salivary TRAP levels were observed in women with tumors positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors (p < .05). Conversely, an increase in salivary TRAP levels was noted in patients with triple-negative tumors. No significant changes were observed in other clinical comparisons. Correlation analysis revealed negative associations between reduced salivary TRAP levels and estrogen receptors (R =−0.1881) and progesterone receptors (R =−0.1837). Positive correlations were found between TRAP levels and the ki67 proliferation index above 14% (R = 0.1697), as well as the presence of the triple-negative tumor molecular subtype (R = 0.2078). Additionally, the analysis showed no correspondence between TRAP levels in saliva and blood, with TRAP levels being higher in blood than in saliva.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that salivary TRAP levels could serve as a systemic marker associated with BC, particularly in cases with a worse prognosis, such as triple-negative tumors and high proliferation indices.