Current literature has researched the potential correlation between some systemic diseases and typical oral clinical conditions which deeply influence a patient's oral health. In addition, research in recent years has increasingly focused on odontology data for general patient health assessment. Therefore, the presence of chronic inflammatory processes at the oral level may prevent some patients from following a particular therapeutic path, such as a chemotherapy for a cancer patient.

In this context, many medical specialists are therefore turning to dentists to determine the absence of acute or chronic inflammatory conditions in patients' mouths. Oral health status is an indicator of overall body health, and this can help inform a medical specialist on the most appropriate type of therapy to implement for a patient. Moreover, patients who begin systemic therapy with bisphosphonate drugs are required to have a high oral hygiene level with no infections. The mechanism of action of bisphosphonate drugs means that they impair bone healing and modeling, which in turn leads to increased risk of jaw osteonecrosis following surgical dental procedures. Oral infection increases the risk of patients developing this condition. Regarding diabetes in particular, several published papers have demonstrated how control of periodontal health may be useful in managing the general health of patients. There are also correlations observed between changes in oral inflammatory cytokines and cardiovascular risk. Oncological pathologies, which are often accompanied by a pattern of alterations in gene expression, have also been reported to exhibit oral manifestations with alteration of the oral mucosa. Moreover, these pathologies can be located both at the oral cavity and in other nonoral areas of the body, and for this reason the first dental visit is crucial to achieve early diagnosis.

This special issue aims to highlight the close relationship between systemic disease and oral pathologies, and to investigate the connection between alterations in the oral immunological profile and systemic disease. Researchers are invited to submit original research articles and review articles in this field, with a focus on profiles of oral inflammatory cytokines and gene expression related to systemic and local pathologies. Submissions concerning acute, chronic, and oncological conditions are all welcomed. In order to cover state-of-the-art research and understanding in all relevant disciplines, submissions covering anatomical, histological, and biological features of the oral immunological profile of systemic disease patients, together with bioengineering and tissue engineering research, are all encouraged.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Correlations between changes in the oral cytokine profile and oral or systemic diseases
• Predisposition to developing oral or systemic diseases, based on a patient’s oral immunological pattern
• Interference between oral immunological status of patients and pharmacological therapies
• Alterations in gene expression or oral immunological arrangement as an indicator for the early diagnosis of diseases, including certain cancers
• Oral immunological assets or inflammatory status that limits systemic therapies or exposes complications if present