Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 08, 2025 1 month, 5 days, 7 hours, 33 minutes ago
Medical News: Scientists Identify Parvimonas Micra as a Key Driver of Oral Cancer Metastasis
A recent breakthrough study has identified a common oral bacterium, Parvimonas micra (P. micra), as a major contributor to the aggressive spread of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a form of cancer that affects the tissues of the mouth. Researchers from Shandong University in China, Nanjing University, and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University conducted a comprehensive investigation into the role of this bacterium in cancer progression, uncovering its ability to promote tumor metastasis. The findings provide new insights into how microbial infections can influence cancer development and may open the door to novel treatment strategies.
Oral Bacteria Linked to Aggressive Spread of Mouth Cancer
Oral cancer, particularly OSCC, accounts for a significant percentage of head and neck malignancies. Despite medical advancements, the survival rate for this condition remains alarmingly low, largely due to its high tendency to spread to other parts of the body. This
Medical News report reveals how P. micra plays a direct role in worsening this disease by triggering cellular mechanisms that promote tumor growth and invasion.
How P. Micra Fuels Tumor Metastasis
The study found that P. micra is significantly more abundant in oral cancer tissues compared to healthy tissues. Researchers analyzed cancerous and non-cancerous tissue samples from OSCC patients and discovered that those with metastatic cancer had higher levels of P. micra. Using advanced genetic sequencing techniques, they identified that this bacterium activates key cancer-driving pathways in tumor cells.
One of the most striking findings was that P. micra interacts with a receptor called CKAP4 on cancer cells through a bacterial surface protein known as TmpC. This interaction enables the bacterium to attach to and invade cancerous cells, setting off a chain reaction that leads to increased tumor aggression. Once inside, P. micra triggers the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), a protein that plays a crucial role in tumor survival by promoting oxygen-starved environments, glycolysis (a sugar breakdown process fueling cancer growth), and autophagy (a process where cells consume their own components to survive stress conditions).
Key Findings of the Study
-Higher P. Micra Levels in Aggressive Cancers - Tissue samples from advanced OSCC patients showed an abundance of P. micra, especially in metastatic tumors.
-Bacterial Interaction with CKAP4 - The bacterium uses TmpC to bind with CKAP4, a receptor found in cancer cells, facilitating bacterial invasion.
-HIF-1α Activation - Once inside the cancer cells, P. micra stimulates HIF-1α, which in turn increases cancer cell survival and invasiveness.
-Boosts Glycolysis and Autophagy - The bacterium enhances glycolysis (sugar consumption
for energy) and induces autophagy, both of which help cancer cells grow and spread.
-Potential for Targeted Therapy - Blocking CKAP4 using drugs like masitinib significantly reduced the effects of P. micra, stopping its ability to promote cancer spread.
Experimental Evidence: Lab and Animal Studies
In laboratory experiments, researchers exposed oral cancer cell lines to P. micra and observed a dramatic increase in cell migration and invasion, indicating that the bacterium was actively driving cancer progression. Similarly, mice implanted with P. micra-infected cancer cells developed significantly larger tumors and showed more aggressive metastasis compared to control mice.
To confirm the role of the TmpC-CKAP4 interaction, scientists genetically modified P. micra by removing the TmpC protein. The modified bacteria were unable to adhere to cancer cells, and their tumor-promoting effects were completely abolished. This finding strongly suggests that blocking this bacterial interaction could be a promising therapeutic strategy.
Implications for Treatment and Prevention
The discovery of P. micra’s involvement in OSCC metastasis presents an exciting opportunity for new treatment approaches. One of the most promising strategies identified in the study is targeting CKAP4 with drugs like masitinib, a drug currently used in treating other cancers. In experiments, masitinib effectively disrupted the interaction between P. micra and cancer cells, reducing the bacteria’s ability to promote metastasis. Additionally, an antibody that specifically blocks CKAP4 was found to produce similar results, highlighting the potential for new immunotherapies against OSCC.
Given that P. micra is commonly found in the human mouth, these findings also underscore the importance of good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. Preventing infections and reducing bacterial load in the mouth may play a role in reducing the risk of OSCC progression, particularly in high-risk individuals.
The Road Ahead: Future Research and Clinical Trials
While this study has uncovered a crucial link between P. micra and OSCC, further research is needed to explore how this knowledge can be translated into clinical practice. Scientists are now focusing on:
-Developing CKAP4-targeting drugs for human trials
-Investigating whether P. micra is involved in other cancers
-Exploring how the oral microbiome affects cancer risk
Additionally, future studies will aim to understand whether screening for P. micra in dental exams could serve as an early indicator of oral cancer risk.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking research highlights the role of P. micra in promoting the aggressive spread of oral cancer by exploiting cellular pathways that fuel tumor survival and metastasis. By targeting the TmpC-CKAP4 interaction, researchers have identified a potential way to curb the bacterium’s harmful effects, offering hope for improved OSCC treatments.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Nature Communications.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s41467-025-57530-1
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