A major new study from the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine has uncovered a surprising and powerful link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer.
Led by Professor Gabriel Nussbaum at the Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, the team discovered that a common mouth bacterium may play a role in speeding up the development of one of the deadliest cancers.
The research, published in the journal Gut, focused on Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium well known for causing gum disease. While this bacterium has long been associated with poor oral health, this study shows it may also play a dangerous role far beyond the mouth—inside the pancreas.
Pancreatic cancer, especially the type called pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of cancer. It’s often discovered too late, making treatment extremely difficult. Scientists have been searching for clues that could help detect or prevent it earlier, and this new research could be a major breakthrough.
In the study, the researchers used mice that were genetically more likely to develop pancreatic cancer. They introduced P. gingivalis into the mice’s mouths and closely watched what happened next.
To their surprise, the bacteria didn’t just stay in the mouth—it made its way to the pancreas. Once there, it changed the natural mix of microbes in the pancreas, making the environment more favorable for cancer to grow.
Even more interesting, the study found that a certain genetic mutation helped the bacteria survive and even thrive inside the pancreas. This made it easier for the cancer to grow and spread. The combination of bacterial infection and genetic changes led to much faster development of pancreatic cancer in the mice.
What this means is that oral bacteria, like P. gingivalis, could be playing a bigger role in serious illnesses than we ever realized. Until now, gum disease was mainly seen as a problem affecting the teeth and gums. But this research shows that what happens in the mouth doesn’t always stay there—it can impact other organs, including those deep inside the body.
Professor Nussbaum explains that this finding isn’t just about pointing fingers at bacteria. It opens the door to new ideas for cancer prevention and treatment. For example, if we can figure out how P. gingivalis survives in the pancreas, we might be able to block it from doing so. That could slow down or even prevent cancer from forming in people who are at risk.
This study reminds us how important it is to take care of our oral health—not just for our teeth, but for our overall health. It also shows how complex and connected our bodies are. Tiny microbes in our mouth may be silently influencing our chances of getting serious diseases.
As scientists continue to study the link between bacteria and cancer, we may see new tools for detecting cancer earlier or new treatments that target harmful microbes. That could be life-changing for people with high-risk conditions like pancreatic cancer.
In the future, brushing your teeth and keeping your gums healthy might be about more than avoiding cavities—it could help protect you from cancer. The research is still in early stages, but it offers real hope that we can find better ways to fight one of the world’s toughest cancers.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies that plant-based diets may reduce risk of colorectal cancer in men, and Low-fat diet may help stop cancer growth.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about How to harness the power of anti-cancer foods and supplements and results showing that Empower your plate: cancer-fighting foods and recipes.
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