POSSIBLE IMMUNOLOGICAL BIOMARKERS RELATED TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the supporting tissues, including the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone, and impacts about 11% of the global population. Currently, clinical parameters such as probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and radiographic examination for bone loss analysis are used for diagnosis. Although these methods are simple and non-invasive, they are unable to identify patients who are more susceptible to the progression of periodontal disease. Identifying disease biomarkers is a quick and effective option for population screening, aiding in the planning of public policy actions and preventive measures. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and studies published in scientific journals were analyzed to evaluate the existence of new biomarkers for the diagnosis of periodontal disease. The research strategy involved a search of primary databases, including Medline (PubMED), SciELO, and Lilacs, with articles published between 2000 and 2024 being selected. The biomarkers discussed (IL-1β, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-23, IL-23A, IL-27, IL-31, IL-33, IL-35, IL-36γ, IL-36A, IL-36, IL-37, IL-38, TNF-α, IFN-γ, TGF-β, MIP-1α, OSM, Th17, PGE2, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMPs, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, pSTAT3, ICTP, cathepsin K, and caspase-1) have significant clinical potential, but still face methodological limitations that hinder their practical application. Future approaches that unify collection and analysis techniques, as well as robust translational studies, could advance the clinical application of these biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of oral inflammatory diseases as periodontitis.