Oral Microbiota and Risk for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a High-Risk Area of China

Abstract

Poor oral health has been linked with an increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We investigated whether alteration of oral microbiota is associated with ESCC risk. Fasting saliva samples were collected from 87 incident and histopathologicallly diagnosed ESCC cases, 63 subjects with dysplasia and 85 healthy controls. All subjects were also interviewed with a questionnaire. V3–V4 region of 16S rRNA was amplified and sequenced by 454-pyrosequencing platform. Carriage of each genus was compared by means of multivariate-adjusted odds ratios derived from logistic regression model. Relative abundance was compared using Metastats method. Beta diversity was estimated using Unifrac and weighted Unifrac distances. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was applied to ordinate dissimilarity matrices. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare the coordinates between different groups. ESCC subjects had an overall decreased microbial diversity compared to control and dysplasia subjects (P<0.001). Decreased carriage of genera Lautropia, Bulleidia, Catonella, Corynebacterium, Moryella, Peptococcus and Cardiobacterium were found in ESCC subjects compared to non-ESCC subjects. Multinomial logistic regression analyses on PCoA coordinates also revealed that ESCC subjects had significantly different levels for several coordinates compared to non-ESCC subjects. In conclusion, we observed a correlation between altered salivary bacterial microbiota and ESCC risk. The results of our study on the saliva microbiome are of particular interest as it reflects the shift in microbial communities. Further studies are warranted to verify this finding, and if being verified, to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Oral Microbiome Composition Reflects Prospective Risk for Esophageal Cancers

“…Other studies have characterized the microbiota related to ESCC (13) and its precursor, ESD (12). Yu et al observed that lower microbial richness and altered composition of upper digestive tract microbiota were associated with ESD in Chinese subjects (12).…”

“…The complex microbial community of the upper digestive tract, consisting of mutualists, commensals, and pathogens, could facilitate carcinogenesis via activation of toll-like receptors (6), or protect against carcinogenesis via synthesis of vitamins or providing barriers to pathogen invasion (5). Cross-sectional studies report distinct differences in upper digestive tract microbiota between GERD (7–9), Barrett’s esophagus (BE, an EAC precursor) (7–10), EAC (7,11), esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD, an ESCC precursor) (12), or ESCC (13) cases and controls. Additionally, periodontitis (a disease of oral dysbiosis) may be associated with increased esophageal cancer risk (14).…”

Review of the gut microbiome and esophageal cancer: Pathogenesis and potential clinical implications

“…Therefore, Porphyromonas gingivalis may serve as a biomarker of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. According to Chen et al.,63 altered bacterial microbiota in the saliva is related to a higher risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The carriage of genera Lautropia, Bulleidia, Catonella , Corynebacterium , Moryella , Peptococcus and Cardiobacterium is lower in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients than in individuals without this cancer.…”

Equivocal Association of RAD51 Polymorphisms with Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Chinese Population

“…More studies are still needed to further understand the molecular mechanisms of the development of ESCC. Anyang, located in Henan Province of China, is one of the cities with the highest incidence and mortality of ESCC in China (Cheng et al, 2011). Every patient was matched with a control individual in terms of the gender and age (P=0.785).…”