Evaluation of Effect of Topical Melatonin in Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia

The World Health Organization (W.H.O). defines oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) as "A histologically proven lesion that is associated with a significantly increased risk of malignant transformation."Oral leukoplakia is the most commonly occurring oral potentially malignant disorder. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), it is defined as "predominantly white plaques of questionable risk having excluded other known diseases or disorders that carry no increased risk for cancer."Leukoplakia has a prevalence rate of 1-4% in the world and 0.2% to 5.2% in Indian Subcontinent, with a malignant transformation rate (MTR) of 0.13% to 10%.

The risk factors include- a) Smokeless and smoking tobacco b) Ultraviolet radiation c) Associated infections like candida, Human papilloma virus (HPV), Epstein Bar Virus (EBV) d) Synergistic effects of alcohol e) Epithelial atrophy due to conditions like syphilis, vitamin deficiencies, iron deficiencies f) trauma.

There are mainly two types of leukoplakia- homogenous and non-homogenous. When widespread or multiple patches of leukoplakia are noted, the term proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is used. The homogenous leukoplakias have a lower risk of malignant transformation (0.6%-5%) as compared to non-homogenous (20-25%), while its highest for PVL (61%). The MTR is also high in lesions of size more than 200 mm, tongue and floor of mouth, female patients, old age, severe dysplasia, HPV and candida associated and DNA Aneuploidy.The presence of dysplasia in the lesions of leukoplakia increases the incidence of malignancy by 30 %.

On exposure to carcinogens, tissue cells proliferate and shrink the cytosolic capacity as an adaptation which can be appreciated as hyperplasia of epithelium in histological sections. The persistence of irritant factor leads to cellular degeneration and atrophy, thus further progressing into irreversible cell damages, leading to apoptosis, genetic damages and malignant transformation. There are many studies which suggest the role of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species in the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. The generation of oxidative stresses further lead to DNA damage in later stages. Studies are also done which shows decrease in the serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the patients of leukoplakia.

It is a well-established fact that, oral cancer development is a two-step process which constitutes the emergence of premalignant disorders and their subsequent conversion into cancer. The asymptomatic nature of leukoplakia makes the scenario more difficult as they go unnoticed, leading to their diagnosis only in the stages of malignant conversion. Medical as well as surgical management of cancer causes a deterioration in quality of life of patients due to potentially harmful side effects. Thus, more focus is necessary for chemoprevention of leukoplakia lesions at the premalignant stages thereby preventing its malignant transformation.

The management of leukoplakia includes both conventional as well as surgical modalities. The conventional approaches include Beta Carotene, Lycopene, ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, retinoids. But, no significant results are documented on regression rate and prevention of recurrence of the lesions. Other treatment modalities under the experimental trials include extracts of green tea, inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase 2, epidermal growth factors, peroxisome proliferator. However, there is no generally approved standard systemic therapy so far. Local surgical procedures include photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy and excision.

Melatonin chemically N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine is a hormone produced in the pineal gland. It is synthesised from the amino acid, tryptophan. The basic physiological function of melatonin is to control day night cycle and hence is commonly used in insomnia, jet lag and some other psychological disorders.

Melatonin has been proved to exert oncostatic properties through various mechanisms like potent antioxidant effect, antiproliferative functions, stimulation of anticancer immunity, antiangiogenic effects, modulation of oncogene expression and anti-inflammatory. It also exhibits anti candidal and radioprotective effect on the oral mucosa. Thus, melatonin may be helpful in treatment of oral leukoplakia.

Therefore, this study intends to evaluate the effect of topical application of melatonin on clinical response as well as on histopathological and immunohistochemistry findings of leukoplakia.