Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and, metabolomic screening with gene expression profiling of body fluids for early detection of Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Summary
The research intends to develop a novel and efficient method to diagnose oral cancer in a cost-effective manner, using novel technologies. The novelty of the research field and the methodology used to conduct this research will improve the knowledge and research capacity of the scientists involved as they will be exposed to using new equipment and learning novel experimental techniques at the end of this study. The findings of the research will immensely support the health sector (both public and private) in improving detection methods to identify oral cancer at an earlier stage. Thus, not only will it help in improving the survival rates of the patients, this will reduce the financial burden of the health sector in terms of reducing expenses borne for cancer treatment and management.
Objectives
1. To assess the sensitivity of the FTIR spectroscopy to detect the early stages of OSCC (premalignant
lesions).
2. To compare and identify the FTIR spectral responses of blood and saliva in three selected categories; OPMD, OSCC and HI.
3. To investigate the deviations of the FTIR spectral responses of the saliva in the three categories giving rise to the stage identification.
4. To explore the salivary metabolite biomarkers that could discriminate OSCC and OPMD from HI based on the metabolomics analysis of the saliva samples.
5. To investigate the gene expression of certain genes which plays crucial roles in initiation, development or progression of oral cavity cancer (OCC).