A study by the MicrobiomicsEHU group at the University of the Basque Country (EHU) has identified how a common human fungus, Candida albicans, can increase the aggressiveness of melanoma, which is considered the most deadly form of skin cancer.
Leire Aparicio Fernández, a researcher and lecturer at EHU, explained that Candida albicans is usually found in various parts of the human body such as the mouth, skin, digestive system, and vagina. While it generally does not cause disease, it can sometimes lead to serious health problems. She stated: "This fungus is part of the human microbiota; it is found in the mouth, on the skin, in the digestive system and vagina; although it usually does not cause disease, it sometimes causes serious problems."
Previous studies have indicated that some fungi may be linked to cancer development or progression. The new research has clarified for the first time how Candida albicans influences melanoma cells. Dr Leire Aparicio said: "The fungus activates several signalling pathways in the melanoma cells, and, as a result, creates an environment that helps to reprogram angiogenesis and metabolism; in other words, an environment that produces suitable conditions enabling the malignant cells to acquire more oxygen and energy and be spread more easily to the blood and other organs."
The team investigated whether exposure to this fungus affected characteristics such as migration, proliferation or adhesion of melanoma cells. Aparicio noted: "For example, to see whether the fungus exerts an influence on the migration, proliferation or adhesion of the melanoma cells." After observing that fungal presence appeared to help cancer cells spread beyond their original location, they looked deeper into these mechanisms. According to Aparicio: "When we saw that the fungus facilitates the spread of these cells to other organs, we examined further the mechanism by which these processes take place." The results showed that "the fungus causes the cancer cells to have a greater capacity to migrate and create metastasis. However, with respect to proliferation we did not detect any change".
These findings suggest new directions for potential treatments. As Aparicio added: "This research has revealed that this fungus does indeed exert an influence on melanoma cancer, and that opens up a new door to other alternative therapies." She continued: "In fact, the therapies to tackle cancer attack the malignant cells directly but if we see that fungi do exert some kind of effect it could be that use of antifungal therapies may help combat cancer. Who knows perhaps in future it will be possible use antifungal therapies as complementary therapy treat melanoma."
Aparicio emphasized ongoing work within her group focused on understanding micro-organisms' role in diseases like cancer—particularly fungi's underexplored impact compared with viruses or bacteria. She commented: "We have widely discussed viruses and bacteria but we forget fungi. We need bear mind they live with us they are part our microbiota Fungi may be important not only diseases they cause directly but also other diseases For example we have proven they are capable participating cancer processes."
She concluded by highlighting both significance of these discoveries for future treatment options and current efforts examining whether similar effects occur with colon or gut cancers: "The work behind it goes back many years Cancer is one most significant diseases today all work combat amounts 'little' It important look for therapies so type cancer does not progress Right now MicrobiomicsEHU research group exploring whether this fungus could have same effect colon gut cancer cells fact all cancer types different".
