Salivary Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase as A Biomarker in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Precancerous Lesions

Background: Gamma‑glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is a membrane‑bound enzyme, which is not normally expressed in oral epithelial tissues. The present study evaluated salivary gamma‑glutamyl transpeptidase as a biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma and precancerous lesions.Materials & Methods: 78 subjects were divided into 3 groups of 26 each. Group I were healthy subjects, group II had precancerous lesions and group III had oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In all subjects, unstimulated saliva samples were collected and were subjected to estimation of gamma‑glutamyl transpeptidase enzyme. Results: Group I had 13 males and 13 females, group II had 20 males and 6 females and group III had 18 males and 8 females. The mean GGT level in group I was 16.4 IU/L, in group II was 52.6 IU/L and in group III was 73.2 IU/L. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Salivary gamma-glutamyl transferase level was higher increased in patients with OSCC and premalignant lesions, thus can be used effectively as a tumor marker