Salivary Interleukin‑1 Levels in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case‑Control Study

Objective: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy with a significant impact on global health. The identification of non‑invasive biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of OSCC remains crucial. Methods: A total of 100 subjects, comprising 50 patients with histopathologically confirmed OSCC and 50 age‑ and sex‑matched healthy controls, were enrolled in the study. Salivary samples were collected from all participants and analyzed using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to measure IL‑1 levels. Clinical data, including demographic information, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption, were obtained from patient records. Results: The mean salivary IL‑1 level was significantly higher in OSCC patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001). Furthermore, subgroup analysis demonstrated that advanced stages of OSCC correlated with significantly elevated IL‑1 levels when compared to early‑stage OSCC (P < 0.05). Additionally, high salivary IL‑1 levels were associated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype and poorer prognosis, as reflected by tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and overall survival (P < 0.01). Conclusion: This case‑control study provides compelling evidence that salivary Interleukin‑1 (IL‑1) levels are significantly elevated in patients with OSCC.