Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature Review
Oral cancer, predominantly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbial factors. Among the emerging contributors to oral carcinogenesis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, two Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sciendo
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Postępy Mikrobiologii |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/am-2025-0005 |
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| author | Durlak Urszula Szczuciński Wiktor Wyleciał Zuzanna Ząber Julia Krzyściak Paweł |
| author_facet | Durlak Urszula Szczuciński Wiktor Wyleciał Zuzanna Ząber Julia Krzyściak Paweł |
| author_sort | Durlak Urszula |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Oral cancer, predominantly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbial factors. Among the emerging contributors to oral carcinogenesis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, two Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that reside in the human oral cavity as part of the normal microbiota, have gained attention for their pathogenic roles. Both species play key roles in periodontal disease and exhibit significant tumour-promoting activities through distinct and synergistic mechanisms. They modulate the tumor microenvironment by promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, facilitating immune evasion, and contributing to microbial dysbiosis. Clinical studies have identified their presence in OSCC tissues, correlating with advanced tumor stages, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis. Their involvement underscores the critical interplay between oral microbiota and host-pathogen interactions in cancer development. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms through which F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis contribute to oral carcinogenesis, emphasizing the need for further research to explore their diagnostic and therapeutic potential in oral cancer management. Addressing these microbial drivers could pave the way for innovative strategies in cancer prevention and treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9bed00341827431bb7e654703cab4d93 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2545-3149 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Postępy Mikrobiologii |
| spelling | doaj-art-9bed00341827431bb7e654703cab4d932025-08-20T03:23:18ZengSciendoPostępy Mikrobiologii2545-31492025-07-01642516210.2478/am-2025-0005Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature ReviewDurlak Urszula0Szczuciński Wiktor1Wyleciał Zuzanna2Ząber Julia3Krzyściak Paweł4Students’ Scientific Group of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-008Kraków, PolandStudents’ Scientific Group of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-008Kraków, PolandGraduate of the Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-008Kraków, Poland. Intern at the University Hospital in Kraków, 30-688Kraków, Poland.Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-008Kraków, Poland. Intern at the 5th Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic, 30-901Kraków, Poland.Department of Infection Control and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121Kraków, PolandOral cancer, predominantly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbial factors. Among the emerging contributors to oral carcinogenesis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, two Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that reside in the human oral cavity as part of the normal microbiota, have gained attention for their pathogenic roles. Both species play key roles in periodontal disease and exhibit significant tumour-promoting activities through distinct and synergistic mechanisms. They modulate the tumor microenvironment by promoting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, facilitating immune evasion, and contributing to microbial dysbiosis. Clinical studies have identified their presence in OSCC tissues, correlating with advanced tumor stages, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis. Their involvement underscores the critical interplay between oral microbiota and host-pathogen interactions in cancer development. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms through which F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis contribute to oral carcinogenesis, emphasizing the need for further research to explore their diagnostic and therapeutic potential in oral cancer management. Addressing these microbial drivers could pave the way for innovative strategies in cancer prevention and treatment.https://doi.org/10.2478/am-2025-0005carcinogenesisfusobacterium nucleatumoral microbiotaoral squamous cell carcinoma (oscc)porphyromonas gingivalis |
| spellingShingle | Durlak Urszula Szczuciński Wiktor Wyleciał Zuzanna Ząber Julia Krzyściak Paweł Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature Review Postępy Mikrobiologii carcinogenesis fusobacterium nucleatum oral microbiota oral squamous cell carcinoma (oscc) porphyromonas gingivalis |
| title | Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature Review |
| title_full | Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature Review |
| title_short | Role of Fusobacterium Nucleatum and Porphyromonas Gingivalis in Oral Cancer: A Literature Review |
| title_sort | role of fusobacterium nucleatum and porphyromonas gingivalis in oral cancer a literature review |
| topic | carcinogenesis fusobacterium nucleatum oral microbiota oral squamous cell carcinoma (oscc) porphyromonas gingivalis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/am-2025-0005 |
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