Compositional and functional variations of oral microbiota associated with the mutational changes in oral cancer

Oral cancer is a prevalent malignancy globally, with a huge majority ( ∼90%) of cases being oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) [1]. In spite of advances in etiological studies and therapeutic options, the mortality of OSCC has not improved substantially over the past decades [2]. It is known that OSCC is a multifactorial neoplasm in which genetic variants interact w ith environmental triggers in the predisposition to this disease [3]. Various genetic alterations that influence cell cycle, apoptosis, and DNA repair [4] alone or in combination with external risks, including human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and habitual exposure of carcinogens, such as tobacco and alcohol use and betel nut chewing [5] have been demonstrated to contribute to the etiology and pathogenesis of oral cancer.
Source: Oral Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research