Using saliva as a liquid biopsy to detect oral cancer early in people with oral submucous fibrosis
Saliva as Early Detection Tool for Oral Cancer
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 |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Jāmshoro, Sinch) |
| Trial ID | NCT07122128 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Jāmshoro, Sinch
- 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 participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.