Core Insights - Approximately 3.5 billion people are affected by oral health issues, which pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in underdeveloped regions [2] - Poor oral health is increasingly linked to a higher risk of esophageal cancer (EC), which includes two main pathological subtypes: esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), leading to around 445,000 deaths annually [2] - The oral microbiome plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer, yet its exact mechanisms remain to be fully understood [2] Research Findings - A study published in Cell Reports Medicine by researchers from Fudan University mapped the oral microbiome landscape and its interplay with poor oral health in the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [3][4] - The research analyzed metagenomic sequencing data from 390 pairs of ESCC case-control samples and 206 pairs of newly diagnosed EC case-control samples [6] - The study identified changes in 50 bacterial species in ESCC, such as an increase in Porphyromonas catoniae and a decrease in Campylobacter rectus, along with disruptions in 54 biochemical pathways [6] - The association between poor oral health and ESCC risk was more pronounced in populations with lower levels of Streptococcus mitis, indicating a potential link to thiamine recycling and energy metabolism pathways [6][8] Implications - The findings underscore the potential for targeted interventions on the oral microbiome to improve oral health and prevent or treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [10]

Core Viewpoint - The study highlights the significant role of the oral virome in human health, particularly its connection to obesity and type 2 diabetes, and introduces the Human Oral Virome Database (HOVD) as a valuable resource for understanding these relationships [3][5][7]. Group 1: Research Findings - The research team constructed the Human Oral Virome Database (HOVD), which includes 24,440 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) and 83 eukaryotic viruses, providing a comprehensive resource for studying oral viromes [3][5][7]. - The study found that the oral virome diversity is reduced in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, indicating a weak correlation with clinical features and enhanced oral-gut virus transmission [6][7]. - The research identified phages that infect Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen in periodontal disease, and screened for six potential endolysins that can inhibit its growth, suggesting a new therapeutic avenue for managing periodontal disease associated with type 2 diabetes [6][7]. Group 2: Implications for Disease Understanding - The findings suggest that oral viruses may influence the progression of diseases such as oral cancer, periodontal disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, indicating potential prognostic and diagnostic applications based on microbiome composition [5][6]. - The study enhances understanding of host-virus interactions within the oral microbiome and provides new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases [9].