Systematic analyses uncover robust salivary microbial signatures and host-microbiome perturbations in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Zewen Han ^1,2, Yichen Hu ^3,4,5, Xin Lin ⁶

⁰Shenzhen Clinical College of Stomatology, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Msystems +

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January 28, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study reveals significant oral microbiome changes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, identifying key bacteria linked to the disease. These findings highlight the salivary microbiome

Area Of Science

Microbiology and Oncology
Oral microbiome research
Cancer pathogenesis

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major cancer with poor prognosis.
The oral microbiome's role in OSCC pathogenesis is suspected but not fully understood.
Previous studies on OSCC-associated microbiome dysbiosis have yielded inconsistent results.

Purpose Of The Study

To conduct a large-scale meta-analysis of salivary microbiome profiles in OSCC patients and healthy controls.
To identify robust microbial signatures associated with OSCC.
To evaluate the potential of the salivary microbiome as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for OSCC.

Main Methods

Integrated 11 publicly available datasets of salivary microbiome profiles.
Applied meta-analysis with random effects models to identify microbial signatures.
Utilized machine learning models to predict OSCC status based on microbial markers.

Main Results

Significantly elevated alpha diversity and distinct beta-diversity patterns in the OSCC salivary microbiome.
Enrichment of specific taxa, including *Streptococcus*, *Lactobacillus*, *Prevotella*, *Bulleidia moorei*, and *Haemophilus*, in OSCC samples.
Machine learning models accurately predicted OSCC status, demonstrating biomarker potential.

Conclusions

Complex alterations in the oral microbiome are associated with OSCC.
The identified microbial signatures hold promise as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for OSCC.
Disruption of age- and gender-associated salivary microbiome signatures in OSCC suggests perturbed host-microbe interactions.

Keywords:

age gender meta-analysis oral squamous cell carcinoma salivary microbiome

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