Smokeless tobacco (Naswar) induced oral cancer in Pakistan, mechanistic insights

Smokeless tobacco (Naswar) use is an issue of public health concern in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Epidemiological evidence suggests a strong causal association between Naswar use and incidence of oral cancer. This study aims to unravel the biological mechanism underlying naswar-induced oral carcinogenesis by focusing on (1) changes in oral microbiome diversity and functions, (2) inflammation, and (3) oxidative stress in Naswar users.