Perspective
Volume 12 Issue 5 - June 2020
DOI: 10.19080/ADOH.2020.12.555849
Adv Dent & Oral Health
Copyright © All rights are reserved by Antonia Sinesi
Modification of the Oral Microbiota and
Carcinogenesis of the Pancreas and
Gastrointestinal Tract
Antonia Sinesi
1
*, Stefania Pernarella
2
, Antonio Sarnataro
3
, Cinzia Casu
4
and Savino Cefola
5
1
RDH Freelancer Canosa di Puglia, Italy
2
RDH Freelancer Latina, Italy
3
RDH and Editor Florence, Italy
4
Private Dental Practice, Cagliari, Italy
5
Private Dental Practise, Barletta, Italy
Submission: June 12, 2020; Published: June 29, 2020
*Corresponding author: Antonia Sinesi, RDH Freelancer Canosa di Puglia, Italy
Adv Dent & Oral Health 12(5): ADOH.MS.ID.555849 (2020) 00250
Abstract
Introduction: The microbiota present in the human oral cavity can be considered one of the most complex ecosystems of our body, since
the various anatomical structures present, teeth, gingival sulcus, palate, tongue and tonsils offer a variety of habitats in which different microbial
agents can colonize. Some of the microorganisms present in it play a protective role for our health, offering resistance to some pathogens, helping
to maintain the oral homeostasis, while others may become responsible for triggering oral diseases, like tooth decay, periodontal diseases or oral
cancer. Lately the interest of the scientific world is focusing on the presence of these bacteria in tumor sites developed in distant districts, such as
the gastrointestinal one. The oral microbiota and its change play an important role in the oncological pathology as for example in the carcinoma
of the tongue, pharynx-esophagus, digestive tract, colorectal and pancreas.
Materials and Methods: Gastrointestinal tract cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Numerous studies suggest the
involvement of periodontal pathogens and cancer. In this work we considered scientific evidences and literature reviews in which the correlation
between periodontal bacteria (F. nucleatum, P. ginvilalis, Tannerella forsizia, Streptococcus anginosus.) and gastro-intestinal cancer are examined
and studied.
Results: Several ways in which bacteria can induce carcinogenesis have been highlighted: induction of chronic inflammation, inhibition of the
immune response, interference with signaling pathways and cell cycles and support for local metabolism of carcinogens. Among the periodontal
pathogenic bacteria, F. nucleatum deserves special attention. It is strongly related to gastrointestinal and pancreatic tumors. Scientific studies
have shown a clear association between alteration of the oral microbiota and tumors of the gastro-intestinal tract and pancreas.
Conclusion: Bacterial biodiversity is highly associated with tumors of the gastro-intestinal tract and pancreas. Understanding this association,
through the use of molecular diagnostics, can help establish a new way of preventing and diagnosing cancer based on bacterial composition. The
monitoring of the microbiota could help to prevent the development of these neoplasms. Some species of the oral microbiota or alterations of the
oral ecosystem could be accessible and non-invasive biomarkers for the identification of gastrointestinal tumors. The immune and inflammatory
system play a crucial role in the development of the disease with a complex interaction between the host defense system and specific bacterial
species. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors
is required
Introduction
The oral cavity has more than 700 different bacterial species.
These polymicrobial communities are involved in many important
functions, such as immunity, protection against pathogens and
the metabolism of food compounds, thus allowing homeostasis
to be maintained. A close correlation between periodontal
disease and systemic diseases [1] has been widely demonstrated:
Cardiovascular disease, Respiratory tract infection, diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis [2], and a close correlation between oral
microbiota and cancer [3]. Today cancer is the second leading
cause of death in the world. The best-known bacterium associated
with the development of gastric cancer in humans is Helicobacter
pylori, defined as a class I carcinogen [4]. Parodontal bacteria
such as Prevotella sp., Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas
gingivalis Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis