FUSOBACTERIUM NUCLEATUM AND TANNERELLA FORSYTHIA IN GASTRIC CANCER PATIENTS.

Introduction and Aim. Oral microbiota has shown a higher bacterial diversity and abundance in individuals with digestive tract malignancies. According to recent research, some periopathogens link to gastro-intestinal neoplastic tissue and accelerate its progression. The present study was carried out to evaluate a possible association between the abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Tannerella forsythia and periodontal status with the characteristics of gastric cancer. Materials and Methods. Twenty-four patients with gastric cancer were examined and divided in two groups, with periodontitis and gingivitis. The patients' oral cavity was examined, gingival crevicular samples were collected, and the following parameters were recorded: number of absent teeth, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and bleeding on probing. Quantitative real-time polymerase-chain-reaction was used to evaluate the amount of the two bacteria in the gingival crevicular fluid samples. The differentiation grade and tumour dimension were registered during the histopathological exam of the gastric cancer tissues. Following the statistical analysis, correlations between periodontal disease's clinical parameters, the bacterial strains identified, and the characteristics of gastric cancer were made. Results. The strong significant correlation between tumour dimension and all periodontal parameters (p < 0.05) but also between the size of the tumour and F. nucleatum (p < 0.05) could suggest a positive association between periodontal disease, gastric tumoral growth and periopathogens' implication in this process. A moderate significant correlation was found between tumour dimension and T. forsythia (p < 0.05). The low differentiation grade was most common across both groups. Conclusions. Our findings point to a potential association between periodontal disease, the two subgingival periopathogens evaluated and gastric cancer's evolution. Consequently, we can state that further research is required for a more comprehensive understanding of this deadly disease, for early diagnosis and for discovering new strategies to limit its progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]