Chronic Inflammation as a Link between Periodontitis and Carcinogenesis

Area of Science:

• Oral Health and Cancer Research
• Microbiology and Immunology

Background:

• Periodontitis involves chronic oral inflammation caused by subgingival bacteria.
• Inflammatory mediators and bacteria from periodontitis can disseminate, contributing to extraoral diseases, including cancer.
• Periodontal species are associated with carcinogenesis in both oral and extraoral sites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review studies associating periodontitis with orodigestive cancers.
• To summarize proinflammatory pathways activated by periodontitis-associated bacteria.
• To explore the role of these pathways in carcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on periodontitis, oral health, and cancer.
• Summary of research on proinflammatory molecules (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α).
• Analysis of periodontitis-associated species' effects on genes related to cell cycle, apoptosis, and immune responses.

Main Results:

• Strong association found between periodontitis, poor oral health, and orodigestive cancers.
• Periodontitis-associated bacteria activate proinflammatory pathways and genes linked to carcinogenesis.
• Key pathways include TLRs, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and MAPK, promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.

Conclusions:

• Periodontitis-associated bacteria and inflammation play a significant role in oral and extraoral carcinogenesis.
• Mixed bacterial species in periodontitis likely promote cancer synergistically.
• Further research is needed to understand the combined effects of oral species in carcinogenesis.