Bacteria Found in Periodontal Diseases Linked to Increased Risk of Head and Neck Cancer

Hundreds of bacterial species reside in the oral cavity, some beneficial, others not. But a new study shows that more than a dozen, many of which contribute to periodontal diseases, may also significantly increase the chances of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).^1,2

The connection drawn between HNSCC and periodontal diseases is not new. Periodontal diseases have been implicated in myriad systemic issues, and it should be of little surprise that oral pathogens might infiltrate anatomy from the neck up.

It’s well known that people with poor oral health are more vulnerable to cancers involving the mouth and throat as well as other cancers in the HNSCC group. But until now, the exact types of bacteria involved have not been well understood.^1,2

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers at New York University Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center analyzed findings from three ongoing studies tracking 159,840 Americans from across the country for up to 15 years: the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II; the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial; and the Southern Community Cohort Study.

Considering factors such as age, race, diet, lifestyle, cigarette and alcohol use, and medical history, the team compared the oral microbial DNA of 236 patients diagnosed with HNSCC with that of 485 randomly selected cancer-free subjects.^1,2

Pinpointing the Players

The researchers identified 13 microbial species with elevating the risk of HNSCC by as much as 30%. When combined with five other species frequently seen in periodontal diseases, the risk for HNCC shot up to 50%. No relationship to fungal organisms was found.

Among the species implicated were Prevotella salivae, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Leptotrichia, as well as several species belonging to beta and gamma Proteobacteria. The red/orange periodontal pathogen complex was reported to be moderately associated with HNSCC risk. This group of bacteria associated with periodontal diseases includes Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, and Campylobacter.²

Motivation for Good Oral Healthcare

The study is certainly grist for the preventive care mill. As study co-senior author Richard B. Hayes, DDS, MPH, PhD, a professor in the Department of Population Health and a member of Perlmutter Cancer Center notes, “Brushing your teeth and flossing may not only help prevent periodontal disease, but also may protect against head and neck cancer.”¹

Now that the key bacteria potentially contributing to the disease have been identified, the next steps will involve exploring how these microorganisms interact with the body and discovering effective ways to intervene. Future research will focus on understanding the mechanisms behind bacterial influence and developing targeted treatments to mitigate their impact.

References

1. NYU Langone Health News Hub. Bacteria involved in gum disease linked to increased risk of head and neck cancer.
2. Kwak S, Wang C, Usyk M, et al. Oral microbiome and subsequent risk of head and neck squamous cell cancer. JAMA Oncol. 2024 Sep 26:e244006.