Salivary soluble CD44: a molecular marker for head and neck cancer

摘要

A method of diagnosing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) includes obtaining a sample form a subject and measuring soluble CD44 (solCD44). The sample may be a body fluid such as saliva. An elevated level of solCD44 in the sample relative to baseline from a normal population of subjects is indicative of the presence of HNSCC. The degree of elevation can be indicative of the severity of disease. The HNSCC can be detected in an early stage and also as a recurrence of the disease.