Links between gum disease and cancer

Data collected during a long-term health study provides additional evidence for a link between increased risk of cancer in individuals with advanced gum disease, according to a new collaborative study led by epidemiologists Dominique Michaud at Tufts University School of Medicine and Elizabeth Platz of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Kimmel Cancer Center.

Researchers used data from comprehensive dental exams performed on many participants from Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, and North Carolina, as part of their participation in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study who were then followed from the late 1990s until 2012.

 During the follow-up period, 1,648 new cancer cases were diagnosed. The research team found a 24 percent increase in the risk of developing cancer among participants with severe periodontitis, compared to those with mild to no periodontitis at baseline.

Among patients who had no teeth-which can be a sign of severe periodontitis, the increase in risk was 28 percent. The highest risk was observed in cases of lung cancer, followed by colorectal cancer. When the researchers did sub-group analyses, they found that participants with severe periodontal disease had more than double the risk of developing lung cancer, compared with no periodontitis.

An 80 percent increase in risk of colon cancer observed for participants who were edentulous at baseline, which is consistent with prior findings, and among never smokers, a two-fold higher risk was noted for participants with severe periodontitis, compared to those who had no periodontitis.

The research team accounted for the impact of smoking among the participants, since people who smoke are more likely to get periodontal disease, and smoking raises the risk of lung and colon cancers. Looking at data for the people who had never smoked, they also found evidence that having severe periodontal disease was related to an increased risk of lung cancer and colorectal cancer.

The researchers found no links between increased risk of breast, prostate or blood/lymphatic cancer and periodontitis. The link between periodontitis and increased cancer risk was weaker or not apparent in African-American participants from the ARIC study, except in cases of lung and colorectal cancer. Advanced gum disease-periodontitis, is caused by bacterial infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth.
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Gum disease increases the risk of breast cancer

Gum disease increases women's risk of breast cancer up to three times. This is thought to be due to the bacteria that causes inflammation in the mouth entering the circulation via the gums and going into breast tissue, which can result in cancer.

Severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, can affect the bones in people's jaws and cause teeth to fall out. Higher levels of certain bacteria that are linked to gum disease increase an individual's likelihood of developing the condition.

It is unclear whether it is the bacteria themselves or gum disease that leads to foodpipe tumors. Researchers argue their findings highlight the importance of good oral hygiene, including brushing teeth twice a day and regular dentist visits, to maintain people's dental health, as well as avoiding other complications.

 Researchers examined women visiting gynecology, some of the participants had breast cancer. The cases and controls were matched according to smoking status and alcohol intake. All of the participants were assessed for gum inflammation at six sites per tooth.

 Gum disease increases the risk of breast cancer by up to three times Results reveal women with severe gum disease are up to three times more likely to have breast cancer. There is no link between tooth loss and developing the disease. Severe gum disease is associated with instances of breast cancer and this may be through spread of infection and inflammation starting in the mouth.
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Bone marrow protein may be used for stem cell transplant

Bone marrow contains hematopoetic stem cells, the precursors to every blood cell type. These cells become after bone marrow transplants, bone marrow injury and during systemic infection, creating new blood cells, including immune cells.

Del-1 is a protein that plays a role in gum disease, it regulate the production of blood cells. Targeting it could be an effective way to improve stem cell transplants for both donors and recipients. Modulate levels of Del-1 in patients with certain blood cancers can enhance immune cell production.

Because the hematopoetic stem cell niche is so important for the creation of bone marrow and blood cells and because Del-1 is a soluble protein and is easily manipulated, it could be a target in many potential applications.

The researchers' investigations revealed that Del-1 was expressed by at least three cell types in the bone marrow that support hematopoetic stem cells: endothelial cells, CAR cells and osteoblasts.

Using mice deficient in Del-1, they found that the protein promotes proliferation and differentiation of hematopoetic stem cells, sending more of these progenitor cells down a path toward becoming myeloid cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, rather than lymphocytes, such as T cells and B cells.

In bone marrow transplant experiments, researchers discovered that the presence of Del-1 in recipient
bone marrow is required for the transplanted stem cells to engraft in the recipient and to facilitate the process of myelopoesis, the production of myeloid cells.

When the researchers mimicked a systemic infection in mice, animals deficient in Del-1 were slower to begin making myeloid cells again compared to those with normal Del-1 levels.

The scientists see potential applications in bone marrow and stem cell transplants, for both donors and recipients. In donors, blocking the interaction between Del-1 and hematopoetic stem cells could enhance the mobilization of those progenitors into the bloodstream. This could be helpful for increasing donor cell numbers for transplantation.

Transplant recipients, on the other hand, may need enhanced Del-1 interaction to ensure the transplanted cells engraft and begin making new blood cells more rapidly. People undergoing chemotherapy who develop febrile neutropenia, associated with low levels of white blood cells, might benefit from the role of Del-1 in supporting the production of immune-related blood cells such as neutrophils.
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Gum disease increases risk of cancer

Periodontitis is an inflammation around the tooth, it is a gum disease that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth. Common risk factors for periodontal disease are : smoking, diabetes, genetics and hormonal changes in women.

 Periodontal - gum disease may be linked to an increased cancer risk. Postmenopausal women who have a history of gum disease have a higher risk of developing cancer.

The risk associated with periodontal disease is very high for esophageal cancer. The esophagus is very close to the oral cavity, periodontal pathogens may move to the esophageal mucosa and increase the cancer risk.

Gallbladder cancer risk was also high in women who had history of gum disease. Some periodontal bacteria promote inflammation.

Hormonal changes in women during
puberty, pregnancy and menopause can also increase the risk of developing periodontal disease.
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How bacteria prevents ovulation and embryo implanting

Bacteria that causes gum infections can makes conception difficult. Women with bacteria that causes gum disease P. Gingivalis may not become pregnant within 12 months.

Women with the bug, disease of the gum and underlying bone may not become pregnant within 12 months.
Researchers believe that infection in the gums and jawbone leads to inflammation in the body and the inflammation may prevent ovulation.

 Periodontal bacteria may have a systemic effect on conception even before signs of gum disease. Women
of reproductive age are expected to take care of their oral health and attend periodontal evaluations.

Researchers examined 256 healthy non-pregnant women aged between 19 and 42 who had stopped contraception and were trying to get pregnant. The health of their mouths and gums, as well as their reproductive organs, were examined.

 P Gingivalis was detected in the saliva of women who did not become pregnant during the one-year follow-up period than those who became pregnant.

 Researchers discovered that women who either had P. Gingivalis in their saliva or antibodies indicating they had been infected by P Gingivalis, were three times less likely to get pregnant within 12 months.

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