Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum Mechanisms Leading to Development of Oral Cancer

Abstract

Many epidemiological and experimental studies have found a potential association between bacterial infection, inflammation and OSCC, especially the link between periodontitis and OSCC . Bacterial infection can promote cancer in three different ways precisely, stimulation of chronic inflammation, disrupting apoptotic activity and production of carcinogenic substances. We would like to further research bacterial mechanisms to understand the role of oral bacteria in cancer development and progression. Our master´s thesis will be focusing greatly on inflammatory processes and mechanisms promoting occurrence of cancer. As this knowledge might help to better understanding of the disease progression and perhaps be able to use the periodontal bacteria profile as a possible cancer screening in the future. Our master`s thesis is a review made on the previous known healthcare studies regarding the bacterial mechanisms of two popular pathogenic periodontal bacteria with known carcinogenic effect, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum.