Fungi and cancer

The microbiome may impact cancer development, progression and treatment responsiveness, but its fungal components remain insufficiently studied in this context. In this review, we highlight accumulating evidence suggesting a possible involvement of commensal and pathogenic fungi in modulation of cancer-related processes. We discuss the mechanisms by which fungi can influence tumour biology, locally by activity exerted within the tumour microenvironment, or remotely through secretion of bioactive metabolites, modulation of host immunity and communications with neighbouring bacterial commensals. We examine prospects of utilising fungi-related molecular signatures in cancer diagnosis, patient stratification and assessment of treatment responsiveness, while highlighting challenges and limitations faced in performing such research. In all, we demonstrate that fungi likely constitute important members of mucosal and tumour-residing microbiomes. Exploration of fungal inter-kingdom interactions with the bacterial microbiome and the host and decoding of their causal impacts on tumour biology may enable their harnessing into cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Automated summary

This review highlights the potential role of commensal and pathogenic fungi in modulating cancer-related processes and explores the mechanisms by which fungi influence tumor biology. It discusses the prospects of using fungi-related molecular signatures in cancer diagnosis, patient stratification, and assessment of treatment responsiveness. The review also emphasizes the challenges and limitations in conducting such research. Overall, it demonstrates that fungi likely play significant roles in mucosal and tumor-residing microbiomes and suggests the potential utilization of fungal inter-kingdom interactions in cancer diagnosis and treatment.