Abstract
Periodontitis is prevalent in half of the adult population and raises critical health concerns as it has been recently associated with an increased risk of cancer. While information about the topic remains somewhat scarce, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanistic pathways promoting neoplasia in periodontitis patients is of fundamental importance. This manuscript presents the literature as well as a panel of tables and figures on the molecular mechanisms of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, two main oral pathogens in periodontitis pathology, involved in instigating tumorigenesis. We also present evidence for potential links between the RANKL–RANK signaling axis as well as circulating cytokines/leukocytes and carcinogenesis. Due to the nonconclusive data associating periodontitis and cancer reported in the case and cohort studies, we examine clinical trials relevant to the topic and summarize their outcome.
Highlights
This review provides an overview of recent discoveries and putative mechanisms linking Periodontal disease (PD) and cancer development and progression
We highlighted the role of the etiological factor of PD, namely the infection with P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum that is directly involved in tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) through suppression of apoptotic pathways, stimulation of prosurvival signals in gingival epithelial cells and interfering with the cell cycle
An interesting common ground between PD and cancer could be the RANKL–RANK signaling pathway, which is frequently disrupted in both diseases
Summary
While information about the topic remains somewhat scarce, a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanistic pathways promoting neoplasia in periodontitis patients is of fundamental importance. This manuscript presents the literature as well as a panel of tables and figures on the molecular mechanisms of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, two main oral pathogens in periodontitis pathology, involved in instigating tumorigenesis. 1. Introduction with regard to jurisdictional claims in Periodontal disease (PD) may occur regardless of age. Introduction with regard to jurisdictional claims in Periodontal disease (PD) may occur regardless of age
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