Role of Fungi in Tumorigenesis: Promises and Challenges Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes, short for microorganisms, are tiny living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment, including on and inside the human body. They play a crucial role in human health and disease, functioning within complex ecosystems in various parts of the body, such as the skin, mouth, gut, and respiratory tract. The human microbiome, which is […]
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Intratumoural Microbiota
Intratumoural Microbiota
With the growing understanding of the intratumoral microbiota’s influence on cancer progression, the next frontier in cancer therapy is microbiota-targeted interventions. By introducing beneficial microbes or altering existing microbial populations within tumors, therapies can be designed to modulate the immune system, promote tumor suppression, and improve drug efficacy. However, challenges remain in deciphering the complex relationships between microbes, tumor cells, and the immune system, necessitating more refined research methods and standardized approaches to translate these discoveries into clinical practice.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This review article focuses on the role of fungi in tumorigenesis, specifically examining the mycobiome’s involvement in cancer development and progression. The study explores how fungi, a lesser-studied component of the human microbiome, can impact cancer pathogenesis. The article delves into how fungal species interact with the immune system, influence inflammation, and contribute to various cancers such as colorectal, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers. The research highlights how fungi could both promote and inhibit tumor growth depending on the context, such as their presence in the tumor microenvironment and their interactions with bacteria.
Who was studied?
The article synthesizes findings from various studies, including those focused on tumor tissues from cancer patients across different cancer types. It reviews the microbiomes of individuals with colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and head and neck cancer, analyzing the presence of fungal species within the tumors and their potential role in cancer progression. The studies included in the review examine microbial profiles using advanced sequencing methods to identify fungal species and analyze their correlation with tumor characteristics and immune responses.
Most important findings
The review outlines several critical findings related to the role of fungi in cancer. Fungal species like Candida albicans, Malassezia, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus were identified in various tumor tissues, with their presence being associated with inflammation, immune modulation, and cancer progression. A key observation is that fungi, like Malassezia, can contribute to tumor progression by activating pro-inflammatory pathways that enhance tumor growth. Moreover, the study found that certain fungi could influence the tumor immune microenvironment, either by promoting immune tolerance or by interacting with bacteria to trigger specific immune responses. Additionally, the review highlights the dysbiosis of the mycobiome in cancer patients, where specific fungal species become more abundant, which may exacerbate tumor progression. For example, a higher abundance of Candida species was linked to stomach and colorectal cancers, while other fungi like Aspergillus and Saccharomyces were found to correlate with pancreatic cancer progression.
Key implications
The review suggests that the mycobiome can serve as both a diagnostic and therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Fungal signatures in tumor tissues could potentially be used as biomarkers for early cancer detection and prognosis. Targeting the mycobiome could also become a novel therapeutic strategy, either through antifungal treatments or by modifying the gut and tumor-associated fungi. The potential to manipulate the mycobiome through diet, prebiotics, probiotics, or antifungal agents could lead to personalized cancer therapies. However, the study also underscores the need for more research to establish causal relationships between fungal dysbiosis and cancer, as well as the mechanisms through which fungi influence tumor progression. Additionally, there are challenges in standardizing fungal sequencing methods and identifying reliable fungal biomarkers across different cancer types.