IIT Indore oral cancer saliva detection

Researchers at IIT Indore have developed a non-invasive technique for early detection of oral cancer using saliva and a swab sample from the inner mouth. The method, led by Hem Chandra Jha and Om Prakash in collaboration with Deepak Agrawal of Government College of Dentistry Indore, uses liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify molecular changes associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral submucous fibrosis. The findings, published in the British Journal of Cancer, show distinctive changes in fat metabolism, energy production, oxidative stress, tissue repair, and immune activity that appear before visible symptoms. A patent application has been filed. The technique is point-of-care, economical, and non-invasive, potentially improving screening access in remote areas of India. Further validation in larger patient groups is planned before clinical use.