Possible role for interleukins as biomarkers for mortality and recurrence in oral cancer.

Background: Salivary and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) have previously been studied in oral cancer with conflicting results.

Methods: We designed a controlled study to assess the correlation between pretreatment salivary and serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8, and all-cause survival and cancer recurrence in oral cancer patients.

Results: Fifty-two oral cancer patients and 52 healthy control cases were selected.