Salivary epidermal growth factor levels decrease in patients receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck

doi:10.1067/moe.2000.106343

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

Volume 89, Issue 6, June 2000, Pages 710-716

https://doi.org/10.1067/moe.2000.106343 Get rights and content

Objective.

The objective of this study was to assess changes in salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) in patients receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck and to determine whether salivary EGF levels correlate with the severity of radiation-induced oral mucositis.

Study design.

Thirteen patients and 18 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Saliva was collected before, during (weekly), and after radiation therapy. Salivary total protein (TP) and EGF concentrations were measured and correlated with the severity of oral mucositis. The variability in normalized EGF (ngEGF/mgTP) values and mucositis scores were analyzed with analysis of covariance, and the adjusted correlation coefficient was calculated.

Results.

EGF levels decreased (P= .004), whereas TP levels increased over time (P= .039). A strong correlation was seen with decreasing normalized EGF values and more severe mucositis (P= .0001).

Conclusion.

A strong negative correlation between normalized EGF and mucositis severity suggests a possible role for EGF in the progression of radiation-induced mucosal breakdown.

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^**: Funded by a grant from the University of Florida College of Dentistry Small Grant Program. Additional funding was provided by DE 08778 to MHB.

^a: Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics.

^b: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences.

^c: Graduate Student, Department of Oral Biology.

^d: Professor, Department of Oral Biology.

View full text

Salivary epidermal growth factor levels decrease in patients receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck**

Objective.

Study design.

Results.

Conclusion.

Int J Radiation Oncology Biol Phys

J Biol Chem

J Biol Chem

Lancet

Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Am J Med Sci

J Surg Res

Gastroenterology

Comp Biochem Physiol

Life Sci

Toxicology

Int J Radiation Oncology Biol Phys

Analyt Biochem

Oral Oncol