Subgingival Periopathogens Assessment and Clinical Periodontal Evaluation of Gastric Cancer Patients—A Cross Sectional Pilot Study

Abstract

Oral microbiota have shown a higher bacterial diversity in patients with cancers of the digestive tract, with higher levels of periopathogens. Recent studies have shown that Fusobacterium links to gastro-intestinal neoplastic tissue and accelerates its progression, as well as worsening patient outcome. The present pilot study was carried out between February and December 2020 to evaluate the possible association between the abundance of some periopathogens (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia) in subgingival plaque and periodontal status with characteristics of gastric cancer. The study was performed on a sample of 24 patients with gastric cancer from the 1st Department of Surgery and Department of Gastroenterology within the Clinical County Hospital of Emergency of Craiova, Romania. The patients’ oral cavity was examined, gingival crevicular samples were collected, and signs of periodontal disease were recorded. On the histopathological exam, the differentiation grade and size of the tumour were registered. Our results showed that, from the periopathogens studied, the most abundant bacteria were F. nucleatum followed by T. forsythia in all groups. In our present study, the strong correlation between tumour dimension and all periodontal parameters but also between tumour dimension and F. nucleatum could suggest a positive association between periodontal disease, tumoral growth and periopathogens implication in this process.

Correlation between the degree of alveolar bone resorption and oral and maxillofacial cancer: A cohort study.

“…In addition to the presented research directions, there are still a few national and international scholars who have focused mostly on the relationship between periodontal disease and microorganisms, which in turn in uence oral carcinogenesis [21][22][23]. In Nicolae's study, the strong correlation between tumor size and all periodontal parameters, as well as with Clostridium nucleatum, may indicate a positive correlation between periodontal disease and the in uence of surrounding bacterial pathogens in the process of tumorigenesis [3]. Many studies have shown a positive correlation between periodontal disease and oral cancer, but the available evidence is insu cient to draw reliable conclusions [24].…”

“…In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that periodontal disease is closely associated with malignant tumors (genitour, pancreatic cancer, pharyngeal cancer, colon cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma) [1][2][3][4][5][6], and the relationship between periodontal disease and oral-maxillofacial-head and neck tumors has received increasing attention [7][8][9]. However, whether periodontitis induces the occurrence of oral cancer or whether the occurrence of oral cancer leads to the development of periodontitis is still unknown.…”

Periodontitis and Its Inflammatory Changes Linked to Various Systemic Diseases: A Review of Its Underlying Mechanisms

“…Microbial communities associated with cancer may be important for diagnosis and prognosis and future studies are needed for a better understanding of the dysbiotic tissue microbiome [ 81 ]. A previous research study found oral pathogens such as Fusobacterium nucleatum , Porphyromonas gingivalis , Treponema denticola , and Tannerella forsythia to be associated with gastric cancer [ 82 ]. F. nucleatum followed by T. forsythia were the most abundant bacteria associated with gastric cancers [ 82 ].…”

“…A previous research study found oral pathogens such as Fusobacterium nucleatum , Porphyromonas gingivalis , Treponema denticola , and Tannerella forsythia to be associated with gastric cancer [ 82 ]. F. nucleatum followed by T. forsythia were the most abundant bacteria associated with gastric cancers [ 82 ]. Certain types of human oral bacteria, such as F. nucleatum or bacteroides, have also been reported to be associated with periodontitis, appendicitis, and colorectal cancer [ 83 ].…”

Fusobacterium nucleatum and Malignant Tumors of the Digestive Tract: A Mechanistic Overview

“…A case-control study showed that F. nucleatum increased cancer risk factors [ 43 ]. Some researchers evaluated the possible association between the abundance of some periopathogens in the subgingival plaque and periodontal status and the characteristics of gastric cancer, and the results showed that the most abundant bacteria were F. nucleatum followed by T. forsythia in all groups [ 44 ]. Moreover, others also found that F. nucleatum -positive GC patients had significantly worse overall survival (OS) than the control group [ 45 ].…”