Scientists discovered that fungi could be lurking in the tumors and blood vessels of patients with various types of cancer. CancerAll types of cancers, including colon, breast, pancreatic and lung.
It is not yet clear if these fungi are involved in the progression or development of cancer.
Two new studies were published in the journal on Sept. 29th. Cell… DNAFungal cells hidden in tumors all over the body.
In One studyResearchers analyzed the genetic fingerprints for 35 different fungi to determine their genetic makeup. CancerWe have examined more than 17,000 samples of blood, tissue and plasma from cancer patients to determine the types.
Although not all tumor samples were positive for fungus in every case, overall the team was able to identify fungi in all 35 types of cancer.
Ravid Straussman (co-senior author), a cancer biologist at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, said that “some tumors had very little fungi and others had lots of fungi.” STAT –However, tumors that contained fungi were often found in “low amounts”, as the team reported in their report.
Straussman based on the amount fungal DNA that his team found, estimated that some tumors have one fungal cells for every 1,000-10,000 cancer cells.
Consider that a small tumor could be laden with billions of cancer cells. He said that fungi might “have a big impact on cancer biology.”
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Straussman’s team discovered that each type of cancer is associated with a unique collection fungal species. This included benign fungi found in humans as well as those that can cause illness like yeast infections.
These fungal species can often coexist with specific species. BakteriesWithin the tumor. At this time, it is unknown how and whether these microbes interact within the tumors and if their interactions fuel the spread of cancer.
The Second CellStudySimilar results were found in the second study, but they focused on breast, lung and gastrointestinal tumors. Nature reported. The researchers discovered that all three cancer types had the potential to host fungal genera. Candida, BlastomycesAnd Malassezia, respectively.
Both research groups discovered evidence that certain fungi could be linked to more severe cancer outcomes. Straussman’s research found that breast cancer patients who had the fungus Malassezia globosaTheir tumors showed lower survival rates than patients who had the fungus.
Iliyan Iliyan, an immunologist at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, conducted the second group and found that patients who had a high amount of vitamin A were more likely to have a good chance of getting it. CandidaTheir gastrointestinal tumors had increased gene activity, which was associated with rampant inflammationPoor survival rates and cancer spread are two of the most common causes of death from cancer. Nature reported.
These early indications are not conclusive. However, they do suggest that fungi may be the cause of these poor outcomes.
The studies do not address whether fungi may contribute to cancer development by making healthy cells more cancerous.
Both studies have limitations. Both studies used tissue and blood samples taken from databases. It’s possible that some samples were contaminated by fungi during collection, Ami Bhatt, a Stanford University microbiome specialist, explained. Nature.
Both research groups tried to eliminate such contaminants. However, despite these precautions Bhatt stated that it would be better if the results could also be replicated using samples taken in a sterile environment.
Straussman stated to STAT, that these initial studies are a springboard into future research into mycobiota – the microbe communities associated with cancer.
He said, “As a field we need to evaluate all we know about cancer.” “Look at everything through the lens of the microbiome – the bacteria, the fungi, the tumors, even Viral infections. These creatures are part of the tumor. They must have some effect.
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This article was first published by Live Science. Please read the Original article here.
