Technology Allows Spitting Image of Your Health

[Guest guest]

Technology Allows Spitting Image of Your Health; Saliva to Provide

Noninvasive Way to Diagnose Diseases

NEW YORK, June 8 (AScribe Newswire) -- Saliva or " spit "

cleanses the mouth, helps fight tooth decay and, for some scientists

at UCLA's School of Dentistry, serves as a potential diagnostic tool

to paint an insightful view of the body's health.

" Over the next several years, we are looking at the possibility

of diagnosing high-impact diseases through saliva, " said T.

Wong, DMD, DMSc, associate dean of research and professor at UCLA's

School of Dentistry and co-director of the head and neck oncology

research program at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Wong, who also leads UCLA's Dental Research Institute,

described the latest in saliva diagnostic research to attendees at the

American Dental Association's National Media Conference, held here today.

" We have developed highly specific, nanotechnology-based

biosensors (ultra tiny machines that read the simplest cell

structure), which will permit the detection of disease-bearing

biomarkers in saliva, " said Dr. Wong.

Scientists have long recognized that saliva contains the full

complement of proteins, hormones, antibodies and other molecular

substances frequently measured in standard blood tests to monitor

health and disease, he explained.

Noninvasive diagnostic testing: Just spit instead of a needle prick

Saliva is easy to collect and poses none of the risks, fears or

invasiveness of blood tests, allowing patients needing certain

diagnostic tests to avoid a needle prick.

Dr. Wong said that in the future, dental offices might be

equipped with real-time detectors to diagnose diseases from saliva.

Already Dr. Wong and his UCLA colleagues have shown that these

biosensors can measure elevated levels of four distinct

cancer-associated RNA molecules in saliva and distinguish within 91

percent accuracy between healthy people and those diagnosed with oral

squamous cell carcinoma.

According to Dr. Wong, ongoing investigations into saliva

diagnostics are broadening to include extending research into

biomarkers for other diseases. In the near future, he expects the use

of saliva to diagnose high-impact diseases such as breast, ovarian and

pancreatic cancers, Alzheimer's, AIDS, diabetes and osteoporosis.

- - - -

CONTACTS: Fred or Leslee , ADA Chicago Office,

312-440-2806, petersonf@... or williamsle@...

On-site cell: 312-371-8707

ABOUT THE ADA: The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest

dental association, representing more than 152,000 members. The

premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for

the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry

since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and

test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of

dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal

of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer

and professional products. For more information about the ADA, visit

the Association's Web site at http://www.ada.org/.

http://www.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20050608.063248 & time=07%2043%\

20PDT & year=2005 & public=1