Figure 12
From: Saliva – a pivotal player in the pathogenesis of oropharyngeal cancer
Schematic algorithm delineating the suggested role of saliva as in the pathogenesis of OP cancer, which is inflicted in two pathways. The first is based on a direct damage induced by CS that is mediated by a synergistic injurious effect that it has with saliva, producing highly reactive hydroxyl free radicals. The second is based on a CS nondirect damage that is based on inhibiting salivary anticarcinogenic capacity, such as that inflicted by inhibition of the activity of salivary peroxidase (the most important salivary antioxidant enzyme).
