Leukoplakia in the Oral Cavity and Oral Microbiota: A Comprehensive Review

• Main Authors: Giacomo Pietrobon, Marta Tagliabue, Luigi Marco Stringa, Rita De Berardinis, Francesco Chu, Jacopo Zocchi, Elena Carlotto, Susanna Chiocca, Mohssen Ansarin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: Cancers
• Subjects: oral cavity leukoplakia; microbiota; microbiome; oral cavity cancer; dysplasia; premalignant disorder
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/17/4439

We reviewed the current published literature on the impact of oral microbiota on oral cavity leukoplakia (OLK), aiming at clarifying its role in disease transformation. The analysis unveiled that bacterial richness and diversity in the oral cavity tend to be decreased in OLK compared to healthy controls, with a reduction in the prevalent commensals, such as <i>Streptococci</i>, and elevation of anaerobes. Moreover, <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i>, <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> and <i>Prevotella intermedia</i> are recurrent findings, and they already have been linked to periodontal disease. These microbial community changes may also represent a marker for the transition from OLK to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, the reviewed studies present several limitations, making an objective comparison difficult. To overcome these biases, longitudinal studies are necessary.