Unlocking of perio pathogenic bacteria’s cabinet of curiosities in oral carcinogenesis

Oral cancer is considered as one of the most common cancer diagnosed in Indian population and is known as leading cause of cancer deaths. It is considered as a multifactorial disease because apart from genetic mutations and risk factors like smoking, various other carcinogens are also involved. The role of viruses in carcinogenesis has been well studied and documented. However, the role of microbiota of oral cavity, in particular perio pathogenic bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, in carcinogenesis is still weak. The upregulation of cytokines, inflammatory mediators and release of toxic products by these bacteria all affect the complex metabolic pathways which may thus be involved in carcinogenesis. Therefore, this review explores association of perio pathogenic bacteria in oral carcinogenesis.