Abstract
Abstract The initial aim of this study was to investigate the protein profiles found in the saliva of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients at the Regional General Hospital of West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Saliva samples were collected from 21 patients with head and neck cancer (confirmed from the results of anatomical and pathology examination). Mainly the types of HNC are sinonasal and nasopharyngeal cancers. As the control, saliva samples from 10 healthy individuals were used. Each subject thoroughly rinsed their mouth with a commercial mineral water and around 2-3 mL of un-stimulated saliva was collected in a 10 mL disposable plastic container with screw cap and immediately placed on ice. Sodium azide and protease inhibitors were added into the collected saliva and then transported to the laboratory within 1 hour of sample collection and centrifuged. The supernatant was taken; the protein concentration was measured, and then lyophilized. Protein profiles were analyzed using 1D-SDS-PAGE at 12.5% running gel. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. In this preliminary study protein bands with a molecular weight range of 35-63 kDa were observed in the saliva of HNC patients, which were not found in the saliva of healthy individuals. Whether the expression of the specific protein bands can be used as a non-invasive biomarker in patients with head and neck cancer; needs to be investigated further.