A Review of the Potential Role of Non-Virus Microbes in the Development of Oral and Other Cancers

Asmaa A. Faden

Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh - 11545, P.O.Box 60169

ABSTRACT: The view that bacteria, fungi and other non-virus microorganisms (NVMs) are involved in cancer has a long history and scientists of every generation have linked these common organisms with cancer, some even claiming that they developed vaccines which achieved cancer cures (Wainwright, 2010). The simple fact that the cancer germ hypothesis is not widely held today and that its application has not resulted in the demise of cancer suggests that either: 1) the idea is a non-starter, or 2) that cancer researchers continue to ignore the truth, namely that cancer in humans is largely a microbial disease. At first sight the first alternative would appear to be correct, but if this is the case why the link has persisted for more than a hundred years and why, even today, research papers are appearing which support a link between microorganisms and cancers? The aim of this review is to discuss the literature relating to the possibility that NVMs are involved in carcinogenesis, particularly in relation to oral cancers.

KEYWORDS: Non-Virus microbes; Oral; other cancers

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