The Predictive Role of Serum Gastrin-17 for Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients Receiving Radiotherapy

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive role of serum gastrin-17 (G-17) for oral mucositis in head and neck carcinoma (HNC) patients receiving radiotherapy. Methods Serum G-17 were detected in patients before and after radiotherapy. Patients were divided into high G-17 group (baseline serum G-17 ≥ 5pmol/L) and low G-17 group (baseline serum G-17 < 5pmol/L). The severity of oral mucositis was analyzed between the two group. Other complications such as dysphagia, salivary gland, mandible, thyroid function, larynx, pain, and weight loss were also investigated. Results Forty-two patients were analyzed in this study. The median level of serum G-17 had a significant decrease after radiotherapy (7.29 ± 5.70 pmol/L versus 4.93 ± 4.46 pmol/L, P = 0.038). In low serum G-17 group, the incidences of grade 0, 1–2 and 3–4 of oral mucositis were 0%, 30.4%, and 69.6%, respectively. In high serum G-17 group, the incidences of grade 0, 1–2 and 3–4 of oral mucositis were 0%, 63.2%, and 36.8%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum G-17 was negatively correlated with oral mucositis (r=-0.595, P < 0.01). Weight loss of low G-17 group was more serious than that of high G-17 group. Conclusions Baseline serum G-17 is a potential predictor for the severity of oral mucositis in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy.