The Association between Periodontitis and Human Colorectal Cancer: Genetic and Pathogenic Linkage

Abstract

Periodontitis has been associated with an increased risk of and mortality associated with human colorectal cancer (CRC). Current evidence attributes such an association to the direct and indirect effects of virulence factors belonging to periodontal pathogens, to inflammatory mediators and to genetic factors. The aims of the study were to assess the existence of a genetic linkage between periodontitis and human CRC, to identify genes considered predominant in such a linkage, thus named leader genes, and to determine pathogenic mechanisms related to the products of leader genes. Genes linking periodontitis and CRC were identified and classified in order of predominance, through an experimental investigation, performed via computer simulation, employing the leader gene approach. Pathogenic mechanisms relating to leader genes were determined through cross-search databases. Of the 83 genes linking periodontitis and CRC, 12 were classified as leader genes and were pathogenically implicated in cell cycle regulation and in the immune-inflammatory response. The current results, obtained via computer simulation and requiring further validation, support the existence of a genetic linkage between periodontitis and CRC. Cell cycle dysregulation and the alteration of the immuno-inflammatory response constitute the pathogenic mechanisms related to the products of leader genes.

Evidence-based Recommendations on Periodontal Practice and the Management of Periodontal Patients During and After the COVID-19 Era: Challenging Infectious Diseases Spread by Airborne Transmission

“…Due to the interconnections between periodontal and general health status [46,47], subjects considered at a high risk for periodontitis development, as well as periodontal patients more prone to the onset or worsening of systemic disorders, should be regarded with caution in multi-disciplinary settings, that may be aided by telehealth networks, improving the interprofessional communication and collaboration (Table 2).…”

Oral Healthcare and Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Early Recognition, Dental Management and Case Report

“…In particular, similarly to the case currently presented, and to others reported by different authors [ 26 , 27 ], gingivorrhagia may constitute itself a pivotal sign in unrecognized ITP cases. Periodontal manifestations of systemic conditions, disorders and solid neoplasms [ 28 , 29 , 30 ] have been largely reported in literature and mainly linked to both the systemic inflammation, affecting the genesis and the worsening of chronic inflammatory and cancerous diseases, on the one side, and to the inter-related periodontal inflammation, which may even lead, in ITP subjects as well as in patients with bleeding tendencies, to profusegingivorrhagia [ 26 ], on the other side.…”

Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Systemically Administered Statins: A Systematic Review

“…Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease initiated by periodontal pathogens in the bacterial biofilm that is subsequently sustained by periodontal tissues inflammation, leading to the disruption of the anatomical structures supporting the teeth, alveolar bone loss and, eventually, tooth loss [3][4][5][6][7]. Periodontal disease has been associated with several benign tumors and colorectal, breast and prostate [8,9] cancers, as well as a multitude of systemic disorders, including diabetes [10], inflammatory bowel disease [11], atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis [12,13], obesity [14] and hyperlipidemia [1]. Correspondingly, periodontal treatment in hyperlipidemic periodontal subjects has been reported to improve serum lipid concentrations, decreasing total cholesterol and LDL and increasing HDL [15,16], and to reduce proinflammatory cytokines levels, such as C Reactive Protein (CRP), Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1) [17].…”

“…Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease initiated by periodontal pathogens in the bacterial biofilm that is subsequently sustained by periodontal tissues inflammation, leading to the disruption of the anatomical structures supporting the teeth, alveolar bone loss and, eventually, tooth loss [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Periodontal disease has been associated with several benign tumors and colorectal, breast and prostate [ 8 , 9 ] cancers, as well as a multitude of systemic disorders, including diabetes [ 10 ], inflammatory bowel disease [ 11 ], atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis [ 12 , 13 ], obesity [ 14 ] and hyperlipidemia [ 1 ].…”