The association between oral anaerobic bacteria and acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia are associated with the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis.The 'red complex' comprises of bacteria that are considered to be periodontal pathogens. These include P. gingivalis, T. Denticola and T. forsythia.Red complex secrete peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs). DNMT3A gene mutations have been observed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).These mutations most often occur at position R882 in the methyltransferase domain of the gene. DNMT3A mutations are associated with poor overall survival. It has been observed that the codon 72 polymorphism of p53 has been significantly associated with AML cases compared to controls. The frequency of the homozygous Arginine genotype was significantly elevated in the AML group compared to the control group.The mutation of Lysine-39 of CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) leads to impaired growth hormone-stimulated c-fos promoter activation The PADs of red complex may be associated with these mutations. P.gingivalis infection may be associated with the development and progression of AML, which represents a unique potential opportunity to reduce the incidence of AML by eradicating a common pathogen.