Pancreatic cancer: oral microbiota could predict risk
A large-scale study in the United States has revealed that an imbalance in the microbial populations living in the mouth could triple the risk of pancreatic cancer. This major discovery could facilitate earlier, non-invasive detection of the disease.
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Will it one day be possible to predict the risk of pancreatic cancer using a simple oral swab? This may certainly be the case, according to a new study published in JAMA Oncology 1. The study suggests that an imbalance in certain fungi and bacteria in our mouths may well be responsible for this cancer.
To demonstrate this, the authors used the medical records and oral microbiota samples of 122,000 individuals monitored over nine years, 445 of whom developed pancreatic cancer.
Certain bacteria associated with increased risk
First, they discovered that the presence in the mouth of three bacteria involved in gingivitis and periodontitis (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Eubacterium nodatum, and Parvimonas micra) was associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.
Whole-genome sequencing of oral microbes allowed the team to identify a total of 13 bacterial species linked to an increased risk, while 8 appeared to have a protective effect.
Key role of Candida fungi
The study was not limited to bacteria: the long-overlooked fungal microbiota was also analyzed. The researchers found that a greater abundance of Candida, the most common fungus in the oral cavity, is significantly associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
The researchers also observed that Candida fungi are found in tumor tissues, supporting the hypothesis of a migration of this microorganism from the mouth to the pancreas.
Towards a predictive biomarker
By combining all the microbial species identified, the researchers developed a microbial risk score. They found that each increase of one standard deviation in this score is associated with a nearly 3.5-fold increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the oral microbiota is indeed involved in the development of pancreatic cancer.
Could better oral health therefore help prevent this form of the disease? Further research will be needed to find out.
In any case, the oral microbiota could one day serve as a simple, non-invasive biomarker for the early identification of people most at risk of this deadly cancer.
Did you know?
- The 5-year survival rate of deadly cancer is 13%.
- The number of deaths worldwide in 2020 is 495,773 2.
- The incidence has tripled among women in 30 years (and doubled among men) 3.
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