Keskin, MutluSuomi, EmmaHarmankaya, İlknurKaraçetin, DidemSorsa, TimoGürsoy, Ulvi Kahraman2023-03-162023-03-162023Keskin, M., Suomi, E., Harmankaya, İ., Karaçetin, D., Sorsa, T., & Gürsoy, U. K. (2023). Oral cavity beta-defensin levels are regulated differently during radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. Applied Sciences, 13(4), 2056.2076-3417https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12939/3443Background: Human beta-defensins (hBDs) are small cationic peptides of the epithelium with broad antimicrobial and immune response-regulatory activities. hBDs are also related to oncogenesis, and their secretion profiles are affected by radiotherapy treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the oral cavity hBD 1-3 levels in head and neck cancer patients and its relation to radiotherapy treatment. Methods: Sixteen head and neck cancer patients (all with a history of smoking) were included in this study. Periodontal parameters were measured before radiotherapy, and medical information was collected from registries. Oral rinses of the patients were collected before radiotherapy; on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th weeks of radiotherapy; and the 1st month following the end of radiotherapy. hBD 1–3 levels were measured using ELISA. Results: Oral hBD-1 levels increased during radiotherapy at week 6 (p = 0.019). hBD-1 levels returned to pretreatment levels after the end of radiotherapy. No significant change was detected for hBD-2 or hBD-3 levels during or after radiotherapy. Conclusions: The constant expression of hBD-1, which is distinct from the infection and inflammation-dependent expression profiles of hBD-2 and hBD-3, may explain why this peptide is the only one affected by radiotherapy.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessHead And Neck CancerHuman Beta-DefensinsRadiotherapyArticle1342-s2.0-85149320397Q1WOS:000938212300001N/A