Periodontal Pathogens and Breast Cancer: Unravelling the Biological Links
Authors: yadav Aashiya ,   Intern, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental sciences and research, Faridabad, Haryana, India, Baiju C.S. , Agarwal Kalyani , Singh Snigdha ,   Professor Sudha Rustagi College of Dental sciences and research, Faridabad, Haryana, India,   Intern, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental sciences and research, Faridabad, Haryana, India,   Intern, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental sciences and research, Faridabad, Haryana ,India
Published: July 2024

Breast cancer and periodontitis, potentially related conditions affects millions worldwide . Latest research reveals that both the diseases share common pathways and these play a critical role in the development , progression and treatment of both conditions . Periodontitis , a chronic progressive inflammatory disease of the periodontium is being highlighted for its incrimination in causing various systemic diseases . The aim of this article is to put light onto all probable pathways that makes periodontal inflammation a risk factor for Breast cancer .. This article draws attention to the commonalities shared by the two diseases, in the context of chronic inflammation , microbial dysbiosis and immunological pathways in the initiation and progression of breast cancer . It emphasizes the role of multifaceted research to reveal the underlying pathways seen in this association . The inflammatory microenvironment seen in periodontitis mimics the microenvironment that brings about the process of oncogenesis in breast cancer . Crucial bacterial species intertwined in periodontitis, like Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, are seen within breast cancer tissues, indicating a possible etiological link through bacteremia and later metastatic colonization . The inflammatory terrain specific of periodontitis, rich in cytokines, prostaglandins, and interleukins, simulates the inflammatory environment that promotes oncogenesis in breast tissue . Inheritable tendencies and hormonal influences, particularly estrogen metabolism intermediated by oral and gut microbiota, further intertwine these conditions . Elevated C- reactive protein situations, a marker of systemic inflammation seen in periodontitis, are also associated with increased breast cancer threat . Research indicates that elevated levels of molecules like RANK and its ligand RANKL may promote progression and metastasis in breast cancer . A comprehension of these pathways that link Periodontitis to breast cancer can offer beneficial awareness for developing preventive and curative strategies, if proven . Such knowledge could lead to innovative interventions targeting inflammatory processes potentially mitigating the risk and progress of the two diseases . After going through various available literature it could be said that periodontal pathogens might influence breast cancer either directly or through systemic inflammatory pathways . While some evidence hints at a possible link between periodontitis and breast cancer . Databases including PubMed , PubMed Central and ResearchGate were searched for articles yielding 32 relevant English articles between 2016 to 2023, which had one of the keywords of “Periodontal Disease” , “Breast cancer” , “Inflammation” and “Myeloid derived Suppressor cells” in their titles . A total of 13 English articles were selected by the researcher for final analysis.