Features of the Metabolic Profile of Saliva in Lung Cancer and COPD: The Effect of Smoking Status

The aim of the study was to compare the metabolic characteristics of the salivary composition in lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their combination, depending on the smoking history. The study group included 392 patients with lung cancer of various histological types. The division into subgroups was carried out in accordance with the severity of COPD and smoking experience. Salivary biochemical composition was determined according to 34 indicators. For data processing, the principal component method was used. Different groups of biochemical saliva markers are informative when separately accounting for the smoking factor and the presence of COPD in lung cancer. For smoking, antioxidant enzymes and electrolyte components of saliva are informative; for COPD metabolic enzymes, lipid peroxidation products, sialic acids and electrolyte components are informative. While taking into account the smoking factor and the presence of COPD, biochemical markers corresponding to the presence/absence and severity of COPD are the priority. Changes occurring in the background of smoking are of a secondary nature, manifesting as much as possible with a smoking history of more than 50 pack-years. Thus, the metabolic changes that occur in lung cancer in combination with COPD, depending on the smoking factor, can be estimated using saliva.

Automated summary

The study aimed to compare the metabolic characteristics of salivary composition in lung cancer, COPD, and their combination with respect to smoking history. Different groups of biochemical saliva markers are informative when separately considering smoking and COPD in lung cancer. Specifically, markers corresponding to the presence/absence and severity of COPD are prioritized when taking smoking history.