Cancer Control (Jul 2024)

Interactions Between Oral Microbiota and Cancers in the Aging Community: A Narrative Review

  • Sara Aghili DDS,
  • Hussein Rahimi DDS,
  • Lotfollah Kamali Hakim DMD, MSc, OMFS,
  • Shahryar Karami DMD, MSc,
  • Reza Sayyad Soufdoost DMD,
  • Asal Bagherzadeh Oskouei DMD,
  • Mostafa Alam DMD, MSc, OMFS,
  • Ashkan Badkoobeh DMD, MSc, OMFS,
  • Mohsen Golkar DMD, MSc, OMFS,
  • Kamyar Abbasi DMD, MSc,
  • Artak Heboyan PhD,
  • Zahra Sadat Hosseini MSc

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748241270553
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31

Abstract

Read online

The oral microbiome potentially wields significant influence in the development of cancer. Within the human oral cavity, an impressive diversity of more than 700 bacterial species resides, making it the second most varied microbiome in the body. This finely balanced oral microbiome ecosystem is vital for sustaining oral health. However, disruptions in this equilibrium, often brought about by dietary habits and inadequate oral hygiene, can result in various oral ailments like periodontitis, cavities, gingivitis, and even oral cancer. There is compelling evidence that the oral microbiome is linked to several types of cancer, including oral, pancreatic, colorectal, lung, gastric, and head and neck cancers. This review discussed the critical connections between cancer and members of the human oral microbiota. Extensive searches were conducted across the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases to provide an up-to-date overview of our understanding of the oral microbiota’s role in various human cancers. By understanding the possible microbial origins of carcinogenesis, healthcare professionals can diagnose neoplastic diseases earlier and design treatments accordingly.