In a major progress for cancer research, a team led by scientists at UC San Diego and the Weizmann Institute has created the first-ever Mycobiome Atlas. Published in the Journal Cell, this work maps the presence of fungi across 35 different types of human cancers, using over 17,000 tissue, blood and plasma samples. This helps establish a link between fungi and cancer.
The Overlooked Role of Fungi
While bacteria and viruses have long been studied in the context of cancer, fungi have often been overlooked. Fungi form complex and dynamic ecosystems within the human body, and their interactions with host cells can influence health and disease. UC San Diego researchers, in collaboration with an international team, sought to address this gap by creating the comprehensive Mycobiome Atlas.
Fungi are more complicated organisms than viruses and bacteria.
Key Findings of the Mycobiome Atlas
- Distinct Fungal Profiles: Each cancer type reveals the presence of distinct fungal communities. For example, Candida species were most common in gastrointestinal and lung tumor; Malassezia was more common in breast cancer; Blastomyces mostly appeared in lung tumors.
- Fungi and Immune Response: Certain fungi are linked to changes in immune activity within tumors. For example, cancers with higher levels of Candida showed stronger signs of inflammation and immune cell involvement. This suggests that fungi might play a role in shaping how the immune system responds to cancer.
- Prognostic Potential: The amount and type of fungi found in tumors could be linked to how well patients do over time. For example, in certain cancers—like those in the digestive system—patients with higher levels of specific fungi (such as Candida) tended to have lower survival rates. This suggests that the presence of certain fungi might be a sign that the cancer is more aggressive or harder to treat.
“These findings validate the view that the microbiome in its entirety is a key piece of cancer biology,” Gregory Sepich-Poore, PhD
Implications for Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment
The findings from the Mycobiome Atlas have transformative implications for cancer research and clinical care:
Diagnostic Tools: Unique fungal signatures in tumors can pave the way for non-invasive diagnostic tests, such as blood or tissue assays, to detect cancer or monitor its progression.
Therapeutic Strategies: Understanding fungi’s role in cancer progression may inspire new therapies targeting the fungal component of tumors. Antifungal agents, for example, could be explored as part of treatment plans.
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