Dental Bacteria Shows Promising Results in Cancer Treatment

Unexpected Discovery in Head and Neck Cancer Research

Scientists have discovered that a common oral bacterium, typically associated with dental plaque, may have significant potential in treating certain types of cancer. Fusobacterium, a bacterium often linked to gum disease, has shown remarkable ability to reduce cancer cells in laboratory studies, particularly in head and neck cancers.

Dr. Miguel Reis Ferreira, a consultant in head and neck cancers at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College London, expressed his astonishment at the findings: “When we started finding things the other way around, we were brutally surprised.”

Potential Link Between Oral Bacterium and Colon Cancer

Laboratory Findings

Researchers conducted laboratory studies placing Fusobacterium in Petri dishes with cancer cells. The results were striking, showing a 70 to 99 percent reduction in viable head and neck cancer cells after exposure to the bacteria.

Dr. Anjali Chander, lead author and senior clinical research fellow at King’s College London, described the moment of discovery: “We had a eureka moment when we found that our international colleagues also found data that validated the discovery.”

Patient Data Analysis

The study, which involved an analysis of tumor data from 155 patients with head and neck cancer, revealed promising outcomes. Patients whose tumors contained Fusobacterium showed significantly better survival rates. According to the research, the presence of this bacteria was associated with a 65 percent reduction in the risk of death compared to patients whose cancers did not contain Fusobacterium.

Implications for Cancer Treatment

These findings could potentially lead to new approaches in cancer treatment, particularly for head and neck cancers. Dr. Reis Ferreira highlighted the potential implications:

“What it could mean is that we can use these bacteria to better predict which patients are more likely to have good or worse outcomes. And based on that, we could change their treatment so make it kinder in the patients that have better outcomes, or make it more intense in patients that are more likely to have their cancers come back.”

Dental Plaque Linked to Aggressive Colon Tumors and Stomach Cancers

Contrasting Role in Different Cancers

Interestingly, this discovery contrasts with previous research linking Fusobacterium to the progression of bowel cancer. Dr. Reis Ferreira noted, “This research reveals that these bacteria play a more complex role than previously known in their relationship with cancer.”

Future Research

While these results are promising, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind Fusobacterium’s effect on cancer cells. The scientific community is eager to explore the potential of this common oral bacterium in developing new cancer treatments.

Barbara Kasumu, executive director of Guy’s Cancer Charity, which partially funded the study, expressed optimism about the research: “We are proud to support the ground-breaking research conducted by Miguel and Anjali, which aims to enhance our understanding of head and neck cancer and develop more compassionate and effective treatments.”

As research continues, this unexpected link between dental health and cancer treatment serves as a reminder of the complex and often surprising connections in medical science.