Using saliva as a liquid biopsy to detect oral cancer early in people with oral submucous fibrosis
Official title: Saliva as Early Detection Tool for Oral Cancer
Run by Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences · NCT07122128 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether a small saliva sample can detect early signs of oral cancer in people with oral submucous fibrosis, people with diagnosed oral cancer, and healthy volunteers.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Jāmshoro, Sinch) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 1, 2021 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2025 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 14, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07122128 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults who are healthy volunteers, have oral submucous fibrosis, or have biopsy-confirmed oral cancer and do not have an active oral infection.
✕Probably not a fit
People with active oral infections are excluded and will not benefit from this protocol, and those already with advanced, symptomatic cancer are unlikely to gain diagnostic benefit from early-detection testing in this project.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational project collects about 3 cc of fresh saliva from healthy volunteers, patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), and patients with biopsy-proven oral cancer and analyzes salivary cells, gene markers, and biochemical profiles. Researchers will compare cytology, genetic signals, and biochemical differences across the three groups to look for patterns linked to early cancer. The work is motivated by high oral cancer rates in Pakistan and the challenge of late diagnosis due to limited mouth opening in OSMF. Saliva is being tested as a noninvasive sample that might identify disease earlier than current clinical pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, a saliva-based test could provide a quick, noninvasive way to find oral cancer earlier in at-risk people and potentially improve outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on salivary biomarkers for oral cancer has shown promising but mixed results, so this approach has some supporting evidence but is not yet definitive.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * healthy volunteers * patients with oral submucous fibrosis * patients with biopsy proven oral cancer Exclusion Criteria: * patients with oral infection
Where it's running
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Medical Research Center
Jāmshoro, Sinch, Pakistan Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Binafsha Manzoor Prof. Syed, PhD — Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Binafsha Manzoor Prof, SYed, PhD
- Email: binafsha.syed@lumhs.edu.pk
- Phone: 00923332749201
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.