Association of oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Oral microbiota reported to be associated with pancreatic diseases, including pancreatic cancer. However, the association of oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer has not been reviewed systematically. OBJECTIVES: To systematically investigate the association between the oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer risk. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Systemic searches were conducted using PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases without any language restriction from conception to August 29, 2020. The studies that evaluated the association of oral microbiome and pancreatic cancer risk were included in this meta-analysis. RESULTS: The six included studies encompassed a total of 863 pancreatic cancer cases and 906 controls. Four studies reported the overall oral microbiome in pancreatic cancer cases. A total of 12–17 species/clusters were correlated with pancreatic cancer. Three studies reported the odds ratios (ORs) or relative abundance of several oral microbiomes pieces/clusters, and the majority were associated with pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study supports the hypothesis of associations of variations of patients’ oral microbiota to pancreatic cancer. Nonetheless, due to all included studies were conducted in USA or Europe, additional original studies and meta-analysis particular studies from other countries are essential for an in-depth investigation into the role of oral bacteria in pancreatic cancer.