Investigating the safety of photobiomodulation in oral carcinogenesis: insights into cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis via the 4NQO model

The present investigation aimed to assess the safety of photobiomodulation (PBM) on the oral carcinogenesis process induced by 4NQO, focusing on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Sixty-six Wistar rats received systemic 4NQO for 12 ( n = 33) and 20 weeks ( n = 33), divided into Control group, PBM 0.3 J, and PBM 1 J. Applications for PBM occurred three times a week. At weeks 12 and 20, the animals were euthanized. The immunoreactivity for anti-ROS1 and anti-p53 antibodies was also assessed. Statistical analysis was assessed by multiple t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman’s correlation. At 12 weeks, PBM 1 J group had nodular lesions, distinct from control and PBM 0.3 J groups ( p = 0.005). At 20 weeks, nodular lesions were common in control and PBM 0.3 J groups. Histopathological characteristics did not significantly differ between groups at 12 ( p = 0.30) and 20 weeks ( p = 0.58). Epithelial dysplasia ( n = 21) was common at 12 weeks. After 20 weeks, most of the cases revealed squamous cell carcinoma ( n = 24). No differences were observed in the immunostaining of p53 and ROS1 among the control and experimental groups and there was no correlation of these proteins with clinicopathological data. During the carcinogenesis process, the PBM did not modify the development of oral lesions and the expression of proliferative and apoptosis proteins.