Radiation-induced changes in salivary metabolite profile and pathways in head and neck cancer patients

Introduction: This longitudinal study assessed the salivary metabolic profile in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy (RT). This study aims to investigate salivary metabolites and biological oral pathways induced by RT. Methods: Clinical data and unstimulated whole-mouth saliva (USWMS) were obtained from 45 HNC patients before, during, and one week after the RT. Data was also collected from 30 healthy controls. NMR spectroscopy identified and quantified 24 metabolites. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis and pathway enrichment analysis (MetaboAnalyst 6.0) was performed to check the effect of cancer therapy on the correlation and pathways of different salivary metabolites. Results: Of 24 metabolites identified, 17 salivary metabolites showed a consistent decrease in the concentration during and after treatment of HNC patients. The metabolite proline decreased, whereas fucose and 1,2-Propanediol were increased in the saliva causing altered redox balance and abnormal fucosylation in HNC patients compared to controls. Spearman correlation analysis indicated changes between pyruvate and some other metabolites, including alanine, trimethylamine, choline, taurine, and succinate, during RT. Five pathways (Pyruvate metabolism; Glycolysis / Gluconeogenesis; Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; Glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; and Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism) are affected, demonstrating the metabolic dysregulation due to RT. The pyruvate metabolism was overpresented with the high Pathway Impact score. Conclusion: Salivary metabolomics analysis revealed significant alterations in the metabolic profile of HNC patients undergoing RT, providing valuable insights into treatment-induced oral pathobiological changes. Alterations in salivary pathways during RT suggest disturbances in redox homeostasis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The ability to monitor salivary metabolites and pathways non-invasively holds promise to personalized medicine in HNC treatment by enabling early detection of treatment-related toxicities, monitoring treatment response, and tailoring interventions to patient needs.