A systematic review on the role of biomarkers in liquid biopsies and saliva samples in the monitoring of salivary gland cancer.

BACKGROUND

Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease, and approximately 20% of tumors in the salivary glands are malignant. Reliable biomarkers may have a role in monitoring salivary gland cancer.

AIM

To review the current literature on the role of biomarkers in liquid biopsies and saliva samples in the monitoring of salivary gland cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

This study systematically reviewed the literature on studies detecting salivary gland cancer by biomarkers in liquid biopsies and saliva samples by systematically searching PubMed and Embase between 1 January 2013 and 7 March 2023.

RESULTS

Five studies covering 64 malignant cases of salivary gland cancer were included, which considered inflammatory biomarkers or markers of genetic material in either blood or saliva. In saliva, there were demonstrated elevations of CA-19-9 in malignant cases, and elevations of miRNA in malignant and benign cases. In blood, there were demonstrated elevations of IL-33 in malignant and benign cases, elevations of ctDNA in malignant cases, and elevations of CTC in malignant cases.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE

The studies indicate that there is potential in the detection method. The studies detecting genetic material by liquid biopsies showed the most promising results. At present, there is still progression to be made before the method can be implemented for diagnostic use.