Increased salivary AKR1B10 level: Association with progression and poor prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue specimens is correlated with the progression and prognosis of OSCC. METHODS: Saliva samples were obtained from 35 normal controls and 86 patients with OSCC before cancer surgery. The AKR1B10 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The mean salivary AKR1B10 levels were significantly higher in the patients with OSCC than in the normal controls (P < .001). Higher salivary AKR1B10 levels were significantly associated with larger tumor size, more advanced clinical stage, and areca quid chewing habit. Patients with OSCC with a higher salivary AKR1B10 level (>646 pg/mL) had a significantly poorer survival than those with a lower (</=646 pg/mL) salivary AKR1B10 level (P = .026). CONCLUSION: The salivary AKR1B10 level may be a promising biomarker for screening high-risk patients with OSCC and monitoring the progression of OSCC.