Work

A Narrative Review on Oral Microbiome Dysbiosis in Benign and Malignant Oral Lesions: Mechanistic Insights and Clinical Implications

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Maintaining oral and systemic health depends heavily on the dynamic and varied microbial environment found in the human mouth cavity. There is growing evidence that the oral microbiota plays a role in the pathophysiology of both benign and malignant oral cancers by producing carcinogenic chemicals, modifying host immune responses, and causing chronic inflammation. Malignant tumors like oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) show profound dysbiosis marked by enrichment of pathogenic taxa such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, whereas benign lesions like papillomas, fibromas, and odontogenic tumors show localized microbial alterations. This review examines the molecular processes connecting microbial dysbiosis to carcinogenesis, summarizes current understanding of the oral microbiome across several oral cancers, and emphasizes potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic applications.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.102131

Authors: Laresh N Mistry, Sayem A Mulla, Amit Patil, Shreyas Shah, Sindhu P Pulaskar

Institution: Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University)

Language: English

Topic: Oral microbiology and periodontitis research

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7125486254