THE ROLE OF THE ORAL MICROBIOME IN ORAL CANCER PATHOGENESIS

This quantitative research explores the intricate relationship between the oral microbiome and oral cancer, aiming to elucidate microbial markers indicative of disease pathogenesis. A case-control study involving 120 participants (60 oral cancer cases and 60 controls) revealed a significant reduction in microbial diversity among oral cancer cases, highlighting microbial dysbiosis. Next-generation sequencing unveiled differential abundances, with Fusobacterium nucleatum emerging as a potential microbial biomarker significantly associated with oral cancer. Functional analysis indicated enrichment in pathways related to inflammation and cell proliferation in cancer cases, implicating the oral microbiome in the local microenvironment. Importantly, Fusobacterium nucleatum exhibited diagnostic promise, displaying a fourfold increase in abundance in oral cancer cases. The positive correlation between its abundance and disease severity underscores its prognostic potential. This study contributes valuable insights into the quantitative aspects of the oral microbiome in oral cancer, paving the way for personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Future research should validate these findings in larger cohorts and explore translational applications of microbial markers in clinical practice.