Salivary Microbiota Alterations During the Malignant Transformation of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are potential precursors of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The malignant transformation of OPMDs is often clinically insidious, creating significant challenges for early detection and intervention. The detection of metabolic changes in saliva and blood has the potential to improve the accessibility of OSCC screening and contribute to better patient outcomes through early diagnosis.Methods: This study included 21 OPMD and 46 OSCC patients, from whom saliva sample was collected. Full-length 16S rDNA sequencing was conducted to assess differential microorganisms in saliva.