Periodontosis-Causing Bacteria Сan Complicate Oral Cancer: Research Revealed

A group of scientists from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center found that a specific bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis — a permanent inhabitant of the human oral microbiome—can sometimes make oral cancer tumors more resistant to chemotherapy.

This research is one more evidence of the crucial importance of oral health. Don't forget to visit a dentist and enjoy the article!

What did scientists find?

Porphyromonas gingivalis — is a species of bacteria living on the teeth, plaque, and gums. If the oral microbiome balance is disrupted, these microorganisms spread widely across the oral cavity, causing the dangerous inflammatory disease — periodontosis, which destroys bone and skin tissues that usually hold teeth.

Periodontosis itself is quite a severe disease. However, the abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis also affects the microbiological mechanisms of the oral cavity.

How does it affect cancer?

It is about so-called oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), a type of cancer that usually affects the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and posterior pharyngeal wall tissues. Chemotherapy aims to inhibit the process called lethal mitophagy in tumors, which, in simple words, causes the death of mutated cancer cells.

Mitophagy is caused by a drug containing ceramide compounds, a substance responsible for cell metabolic processes. According to research, P. gingivalis interacts with these molecules, preventing them from intervening in tumors, which reduces the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

All laboratory samples and observed patients with an enormous amount of Porphyromonas gingivalis show worse clinical outcomes.

The research results show us how important oral health is for the whole organism. However, it is only one link in the long biological chain between the condition of mouth microbiota and other systems. Get to know more in other articles regarding this topic:

• How is the oral microbiome linked to our health?
• Periodontosis Can Increase the Risk of Stroke
• Bad Oral Health Increase the Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease