A Candid Assessment of the Link between Oral <i>Candida</i> Containing Biofilms and Oral Cancer

Abstract

An association between Candida and oral cancer has long been discussed in the literature and in particular Candida albicans has been proposed to play a significant role in the development of oral cancer. Although this organism is a common member of the oral mucosa and can cause a variety of oral mucosal lesions, the exact mechanisms by which C. albicans potentially causes the development of malignant disease still require much research. We have undertaken an extensive literature search to understand pathogenicity of C. albicans, including its virulence factors, its interactions with the host immune, how a dysregulation of the immune response can result in malignancy, and how a potential C. albicans specific cytokine response may be involved in oral carcinogenesis. We present here a candid assessment of the role of Candida in oral carcinogenesis and a hypothetical model about how this may occur. Finally, we present potential future research which is necessary to elucidate this role.

Frequency Rate of Oral Candidiasis Among Patients on Oncology Management at Khartoum Isotope and Radiation Teaching Hospital.

“…The higher prevalence of oral candidiasis was found among the age group (34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52) year followed by the age group 53-72 years. This may be due to the fact that, the most cancer patients were occupaied in this group, as reported by 2607 study, [35] that the higher incidence cases of cancer were recorded among Khartoum residents in 2009-2010 were between 25-54 years.…”

“…It is well known that prolonged use of chemotherapy may lead to neutropenia, disruption of mucosal barrier and overall damage to cell mediated immunity which increases the risk of infection. [40].…”

Effect of phenotypic switching on the susceptibility of Candida krusei towards amphotericin B, nystatin and Piper betle aqueous extract

“…However, the sensitivity of the yeast towards these antifungals has been reported to decrease (Hakki et al, 2006;Pfaller et al, 2008). Phenotypic switching is one of the important virulent factors of Candida species that enables the yeast to adapt in a stress environment (Jones et al, 1994;Vargas et al, 2004;Kang et al, 2016;Palková & Váchová, 2016).…”

Oral Candida colonization and oral lichen planus

“…To give further particulars, the phospholipase activity of C. albicans has been strongly identified as an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis through the direct host cell damage and lysis. The phospholipase activity can be considered as one of the cofactors which may contribute to the development of OLP, especially erosive OLP (Kang et al, 2016;Zeng et al, 2008).…”

“…The Candida turned into hyphal phenotype can influence-via production of extracellular enzymes such as the aspartyl proteinases-the degree of epithelial-mesenchymal transition of carcinogenic nitrogen compounds which can be involved in the development of the oral squamous cell carcinoma. (Kang et al, 2016) Evidences indicate that certain Candida species play an important role in oral carcinogenesis, given to the their higher ability to produce N-nitrosamine. (Chi, Day, & Neville, 2015).…”