Correlations between the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis and salivary epidermal growth factor as well as inflammatory cytokines in patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate correlations of the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and inflammatory cytokines in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Levels of inflammatory cytokines and EGF in saliva of HNC patients were measured. Correlations of inflammatory cytokines and EGF levels with RIOM severity and pain degree, and their diagnostic values on RIOM severity were determined. RESULTS: Elevated IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IL-6 levels, and reduced IL-4, IL-10, and EGF levels were found in patients with severe RIOM. IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IL-6 were positively correlated with RIOM severity, while IL-10, IL-4, and EGF were negatively correlated with it. All factors were effective in predicting the severity of RIOM. CONCLUSION: IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and IL-6 in saliva of patients with HNC are positively correlated with the severity of RIOM, and IL-4, IL-10, and EGF were negatively correlated with it.