Tooth agenesis: What do we know and is there a connection to cancer?
Abstract
Like all developmental processes, odontogenesis is highly complex and dynamically regulated, with hundreds of genes co‐expressed in reciprocal networks. Tooth agenesis (missing one or more/all teeth) is a common human craniofacial anomaly and may be caused by genetic variations and/or environmental factors. Variants in
PAX9
,
MSX1
,
AXIN2
,
EDA
,
EDAR
, and
WNT10A
genes are associated with tooth agenesis. Currently, variants in
ATF1
,
DUSP10
,
CASC8
,
IRF6
,
KDF1
,
GREM2
,
LTBP3
, and components and regulators of WNT signaling
WNT10B
,
LRP6
,
DKK,
and
KREMEN1
are at the forefront of interest. Due to the interconnectedness of the signaling pathways of carcinogenesis and odontogenesis, tooth agenesis could be a suitable marker for early detection of cancer predisposition. Variants in genes associated with tooth agenesis could serve as prognostic or therapeutic targets in cancer. This review aims to summarize existing knowledge of development and clinical genetics of teeth. Concurrently, the review proposes possible approaches for future research in this area, with particular attention to roles in monitoring, early diagnosis and therapy of tumors associated with defective tooth development.
