Synergistic role of periodontitis in development of oral cancer among smokers

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.