Revisiting the association between candidal infection and carcinoma, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

BackgroundTobacco and alcohol are risk factors associated with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, but increasingly the role of infection and chronic inflammation is recognized as being significant in cancer development. Bacteria, particularly Helicobacter pylori, and viruses such as members of the human papilloma virus family and hepatitis B and C are strongly implicated as etiological factors in certain cancers. There is less evidence for an association between fungi and cancer, although it has been recognized for many years that white patches on the oral mucosa, which are infected with Candida, have a greater likelihood of undergoing malignant transformation than those that are not infected.ObjectiveThis article reviews the association between the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma in potentially malignant oral lesions with chronic candidal infection and describes mechanisms that may be involved in Candida-associated malignant transformation.

Candida albicansand cancer: Can this yeast induce cancer development or progression?

“…In line with this, several studies have reported that Candida species promote carcinogenesis by producing acetaldehyde from ethanol (Mohd Bakri et al, 2010;Nieminen et al, 2009;Uittamo et al, 2009). Notably, C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis produce more acetaldehyde than other species of this genus, in most cases exceeding carcinogenic levels (4100 mM; Nieminen et al, 2009).…”

Chronic disease comorbidity in patients with oral leukoplakia: A matched case–control study

“…Asthma is often treated with inhalational corticosteroids, which have been linked to increased rates of oral candidosis in those patients (Ellepola & Samaranayake, 2001; Kennedy et al, 2000). Although the role of Candida species in the aetiology of oral leukoplakias is debatable, candidal infection is often associated with OL and may be responsible for increased risk of malignant transformation of these lesions (Mohd Bakri, Mohd Hussaini, Rachel Holmes, David Cannon, & Mary Rich, 2010; Wu et al, 2013). Deposition of inhaled corticosteroids on the mucous membranes may also potentially decrease protective inflammatory responses and decrease immunity, making those areas more vulnerable for pathological change.…”

Candida antifungal drug resistance in sub-Saharan African populations: A systematic review

“…This can lead to systemic candidiasis, with a reported mortality rate in developed countries of 38% 4 and 44% 5 . Candida is currently the 4 th most commonly isolated microorganism in nosocomial bloodstream infections 6 and has been implicated in >78% of cancerous and precancerous oral lesions 7 .…”