Google Scholar | Citations: 16429| h-index: 32 | i10-index: 482
Periodontal disease and response to immunotherapy in cancer patients
PDF (Portuguese (Brazil))

Keywords

Periodontal diseases
Immunotherapy
Cancer

How to Cite

Periodontal disease and response to immunotherapy in cancer patients. (2025). Electronic Journal Collection Health, 25(11), e22046. https://doi.org/10.25248/reas.e22046.2025

Copyright © | All rights reserved.

The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.

Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.

Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.

Abstract

Objective: To map the available evidence on the relationship between periodontal disease and response to immunotherapy in cancer patients. Bibliographic review: Periodontal inflammation can modulate the immune response and interfere with the efficacy of immunotherapy, both by increasing systemic inflammation and by altering the oral microbiome. Periodontal pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, have been implicated in the modulation of oncogenic and immunological pathways, contributing to tumor progression and the occurrence of adverse effects during treatment. Recent studies reinforce the existence of a bidirectional interaction between periodontal health and oncological therapeutic responses, suggesting that controlling oral inflammation can positively impact the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing immunotherapy. Final considerations: Periodontal health may play a relevant role in the oncological management of patients undergoing immunotherapy. Despite initial evidence, there is still no consensus on specific protocols, and prospective, multicenter clinical studies are needed to validate this association and guide integrated preventive and therapeutic strategies.

PDF (Portuguese (Brazil))

References

BEGER-LUEDDE J, et al. Association between Chronic Gingivitis and Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 19,782 Outpatients from the United Kingdom. Cancers (Basel), 2023; 15(7): 2007.

CHAPPLE ILC, et al. Periodontal health and gingival diseases and conditions on an intact and a reduced periodontium: Consensus report of workgroup 1 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. J Periodontol, 2018; 89 Suppl 1: S74-S84.

DOROBISZ K, et al. The Microbiome's Influence on Head and Neck Cancers. Curr Oncol Rep, 2023; 25(3): 163-171.

FU Y, ZHENG Y. The identification of tumor antigens and immune subtypes based on the development of immunotherapies targeting head and neck squamous cell carcinomas resulting from periodontal disease. Front Oncol, 2023; 13: 1256105.

GAJEWSKI TF, et al. Innate and adaptive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Nat Immunol, 2013; 14(10): 1014-22.

HIRAKI A, et al. Teeth loss and risk of cancer at 14 common sites in Japanese. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2008; 17(5): 1222-7.

HOLTFRETER B, et al; Joint EU/USA Periodontal Epidemiology Working Group. Standards for reporting chronic periodontitis prevalence and severity in epidemiologic studies: Proposed standards from the Joint EU/USA Periodontal Epidemiology Working Group. J Clin Periodontol, 2015; 42(5): 407-12.

HUJOEL PP, et al. An exploration of the periodontitis-cancer association. Ann Epidemiol, 2003; 13(5): 312-6.

JIANG Y, et al. Microbiota: A key factor affecting and regulating the efficacy of immunotherapy. Clin Transl Med, 2023; 13(12): e1508.

MATSON V, et al. Cancer and the Microbiome-Influence of the Commensal Microbiota on Cancer, Immune Responses, and Immunotherapy. Gastroenterology, 2021; 160(2): 600-613.

NWIZU N, et al. Periodontal disease and cancer: Epidemiologic studies and possible mechanisms. Periodontol 2000, 2020; 83(1): 213-233.

PAI SI, et al. Effects of periodontitis on cancer outcomes in the era of immunotherapy. Lancet Healthy Longev, 2023; 4(4): e166-e175.

PAPAPANOU PN, et al. Periodontitis: Consensus report of workgroup 2 of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. J Periodontol, 2018; 89 Suppl 1: S173-S182.

PIGNATELLI P, et al. Microbiota and Oral Cancer as A Complex and Dynamic Microenvironment: A Narrative Review from Etiology to Prognosis. Int J Mol Sci, 2022; 23(15): 8323.

REZASOLTANI S, et al. Modulatory effects of gut microbiome in cancer immunotherapy: A novel paradigm for blockade of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer Med, 2021; 10(3): 1141-1154.

SINGH RP, et al. Emerging role of microbiota in immunomodulation and cancer immunotherapy. Semin Cancer Biol, 2021; 70: 37-52.

SOBOCKI BK, et al. Molecular Mechanisms Leading from Periodontal Disease to Cancer. Int J Mol Sci, 2022; 23(2): 970.

SUÁREZ LJ, et al. Oral Dysbiosis and Autoimmunity: From Local Periodontal Responses to an Imbalanced Systemic Immunity. A Review. Front Immunol, 2020; 11: 591255.

TONETTI MS, Greenwell H, Kornman KS. Staging and grading of periodontitis: Framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition. J Periodontol, 2018; 89 Suppl 1: S159-S172.

VALM AM. The Structure of Dental Plaque Microbial Communities in the Transition from Health to Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease. J Mol Biol, 2019; 431(16): 2957-2969.

VERAS EL, et al. Newly identified pathogens in periodontitis: evidence from an association and an elimination study. J Oral Microbiol, 2023; 15(1): 2213111.

YANG CY, et al. Oral Microbiota Community Dynamics Associated With Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Staging. Front Microbiol, 2018; 9: 862.

ZHANG Y, ZHANG Z. The history and advances in cancer immunotherapy: understanding the characteristics of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their therapeutic implications. Cell Mol Immunol, 2020; 17(8): 807-821.

ZHOU Y, et al. Periodontal pathogens and cancer development. Periodontol 2000, 2024; 96(1): 112-149.