Role of innate host defense proteins in oral cancerogenesis

Abstract It is nowadays well accepted that chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation and progression. Under this aspect, the oral cavity is predestined to examine this connection because periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease and oral squamous cell carcinomas are the most common oral malignant lesions. In this review, we describe how particular molecules of the human innate host defense system may participate as molecular links between these two important chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Specific focus is directed toward antimicrobial polypeptides, such as the cathelicidin LL‐37 and human defensins, as well as S100 proteins and alarmins. We report in which way these peptides and proteins are able to initiate and support oral tumorigenesis, showing direct mechanisms by binding to growth‐stimulating cell surface receptors and/or indirect effects, for example, inducing tumor‐promoting genes. Finally, bacterial challenges with impact on oral cancerogenesis are briefly addressed.