Microbiota and Oral Cancer as A Complex and Dynamic Microenvironment: A Narrative Review from Etiology to Prognosis

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jul 28;23(15):8323. doi: 10.3390/ijms23158323.

Abstract

A complex balanced equilibrium of the bacterial ecosystems exists in the oral cavity that can be altered by tobacco smoking, psychological stressors, bad dietary habit, and chronic periodontitis. Oral dysbiosis can promote the onset and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) through the release of toxins and bacterial metabolites, stimulating local and systemic inflammation, and altering the host immune response. During the process of carcinogenesis, the composition of the bacterial community changes qualitatively and quantitatively. Bacterial profiles are characterized by targeted sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene in tissue and saliva samples in patients with OSCC. Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Prevotella melaninogenica, Streptococcus mitis, Fusobacterium periodonticum, Prevotella tannerae, and Prevotella intermedia are the significantly increased bacteria in salivary samples. These have a potential diagnostic application to predict oral cancer through noninvasive salivary screenings. Oral lactic acid bacteria, which are commonly used as probiotic therapy against various disorders, are valuable adjuvants to improve the response to OSCC therapy.

Keywords: dysbiosis; host-microbial interaction; interspecies communication; oral cancer prognosis; oral microbiome; oral squamous cell carcinoma; polymicrobial synergy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Microbiota* / genetics
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / etiology
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.