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This research aims to determine how periodontitis may predict the development of oral cancer in smokers.

March 28, 2026Indian Journal of Dental Research0 citationsOpen Access

Synergistic role of periodontitis in development of oral cancer among smokers

Key Points

This research aims to determine how periodontitis may predict the development of oral cancer in smokers.
Conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 96 chronic periodontitis patients with probing pocket depth ≥6 mm.
Compared smokers against non-smokers regarding periodontal health and biomarkers.
Measured salivary MMP-9 using ELISA and tissue markers for P. gingivalis and BCL2 via qPCR.
Found that 35 out of 96 patients were smokers (36.5%).
P. gingivalis expression was significantly higher in smokers (RQ 6.8469).
BCL2 expression was approximately twice as high in smokers compared to non-smokers.
MMP-9 levels were also elevated in smokers, showing significant correlations with smoking status.

Abstract

Aim: To assess the predictive role of periodontitis in oral cancer development among smokers. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 96 immunocompetent chronic periodontitis patients (PPD ≥6 mm). Smokers vs non-smokers; measured PPD, alveolar bone loss, salivary MMP-9 (ELISA), and tissue DNA/RNA for P. gingivalis and BCL2 by qPCR. Results: 35 smokers (36.5%). P. gingivalis expression higher in smokers (RQ 6.8469). BCL2 expression ~2× higher in smokers; MMP-9 higher in smokers. Significant correlations between smoking status and P. gingivalis, MMP-9, and BCL2 expression. Conclusions: Smoking and periodontitis may synergize in oral oncogenesis. BCL2 and MMP-9 are potential predictive markers for oral cancer risk in smoking periodontitis patients.

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