Developing a Saliva Test for Cancer

The amount of potential carcinogens attached to an individual’s DNA can be measured by a new saliva test. This could lead to a commercial test to help determine risks for cancer and other diseases, scientists reported during the 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

“The test measures the amount of damaged DNA [adducts] in a person’s body,” said Professor Hauh-Jyun Candy Chen, PhD, who led the research team at National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. In fact, five key DNA adducts are measured via the new saliva test, including some adducts that form due to cigarette use. “This is very important because such damaged DNA . . . is a biomarker that may help doctors diagnose diseases, monitor how effective a treatment is and also recommend things high-risk patients can do to reduce the chances of actually getting a disease,” said Chen.

According to researchers, there are several potential uses for the saliva test, including:

• Promoting healthy choices among people exposed to carcinogens as a result of lifestyle, occupation, or other factors
• Encouraging cigarette smokers with high levels of DNA adducts to quit the habit
• Reinforcing a healthier lifestyle by performing follow-up tests to show a decline in DNA adducts

Source: American Chemical Society.