Assessment of serum synuclein-γ and squamous cell carcinoma antigen as diagnostic biomarkers in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders

Background Clinical diagnosis and monitoring are crucial to reduce the mortality from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). It has been demonstrated that synuclein-gamma (SNCG) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) are highly expressed in patients with OSCC and perhaps participate in OSCC progression. This study analyzed the levels of serum SNCG and SCCAg in OSCC, OPMD, and control patients, and evaluated the diagnostic and clinical value of single and combined detection of serum SNCG and SCCAg in OSCC and OPMDs. Patients and methods Serum samples were collected from 197 patients including 87 patients with OSCC, 30 patients with OPMDs, and 80 healthy volunteers as controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and statistical analysis were utilized to determine SNCG and SCCAg levels in serum. Results The levels of SNCG and SCCAg in serum were significantly higher in OSCC compared with OPMDs and controls. There was a correlation between SNCG level and ethnicity, and SCCAg was correlated with differentiation. Furthermore, the area under the curves, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of combined detection of SNCG and SCCAg were better than any single detection. Conclusion The combined detection of SNCG and SCCAg in serum could become a new standard method to distinguish between OSCC and OPMDs and improve diagnostic performance for OSCC.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the levels of serum SNCG and SCCAg in patients with OSCC, OPMD, and controls, and found significantly higher levels in OSCC patients. The combined detection of SNCG and SCCAg showed better diagnostic value than single detection, potentially becoming a new standard method for distinguishing between OSCC and OPMDs.