The clinical utility of salivary exosomes as biomarkers in oral squamous cell carcinoma

The project was a step forward in a new area of translational medicine – liquid biopsy - and its diagnostic potential in oral squamous cell carcinoma. A panel of protein markers was identified from isolated salivary exosomes, which was able to discriminate between cancer-free healthy controls, at-risk patients with oral pre-malignant disorder, and early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Saliva collection methods were also investigated, with the unstimulated ‘drool’ method being the most effective method for yielding exosomes of high quality and quantity