Abstract
Aim: Patients with cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx (COCO) often exhibit signs of immunosuppression, affecting their prognosis. Understanding the dynamics of humoral immunity in these patients during chemoradiation therapy is crucial for developing effective treatments.Materials & methods: This prospective study included 105 COCO patients undergoing different treatment regimens, with or without alpha/beta-defensins therapy. Serum concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA and salivary sIgA were analyzed. Patients were divided into five groups based on treatment protocols.Results & conclusion: Treatment variations impacted serum immunoglobulin levels, notably in Group III, whose patients received radiation treatment and immunotherapy with higher alpha/beta-defensins doses. Significant IgG changes correlated with oral mucositis risk and outcomes. Further trials are necessary for validation and clinical application.