Case-control analysis of the association between oral microbiome and subsequent risk of head and neck squamous cell cancer

The oral microbiota may be involved in development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A case-control analysis among participants of three prospective trials investigated the association of prediagnostic oral bacterial and fungal microbiome with subsequent development of HNSCC. Among 159,840 participants who provided oral samples at inclusion, HNSCC was diagnosed in 236 during a median of 5.1 ± 3.6 year follow-up. These patients were compared with participants who stayed HNSCC free, 2:1 matched for cohort, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and time since oral sample collection. The analysis revealed novel oral bacterial species, including both commensals and periodontic pathogenic complexes that together conferred a 50% increased risk of HNSCC. No significant associations between oral fungi and risk of HNSCC were found. The authors conclude that these findings hold promise for identifying high-risk individuals for personalized prevention of HNSCC.