Editorial :
Non-Albicans Candida in Oral Cancer
Ali Nawaz
Full-Text
Mouth is an important
source of infections and oral
infections increase the risk of mortality [1]. Invasive Candida
infections (ICI) are associated with high mortality and non-albicans Candida
are responsible for most of such cases [2]. Candida may even play a role in the
development of cancer [3]. In a recent large follow up study from Denmark two
times increased risk of cancers was found in mouth, tongue, oropharynx and
esophagus in subjects with Candida infections [4].
Yeasts are opportunistic pathogens
and systemic yeast infections are fatal particularly in frail patients [5].
Oral cancer patient’s immune defenses are often impaired emphasizing the risk
for systemic infections
in this patient group. Previous studies have shown that non- albicans Candida
such as C. glabrata
indeed produce carcinogenic amounts of acetaldehyde that may
lead to development of oral cancer [6].
There are seven Candida species of
major medical importance; C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata are
frequently isolated from medical specimens while the other pathogenic Candida species
are C. parapsilosis, C. stellatoidea, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, and C.
pseudotropicalis [7]. There is shift in distribution of Candida species
regarding patients with cancer and candidemia, from C albicans to the
non-albicans species such as C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C.
parapsilosis [8]. Hence, identification and treatment of the non-albican
Candida strains has become more important than previously.
Our knowledge is sparse of the
effect of non-albicans Candida on patients with oral cancer. The
research is thus expected to cast new light in the area and particularly
provide new means for diagnosis and treatment protocols. We anticipate that
research in the area then directly benefit the patients. The ultimate goal is
to find means for better diagnosis
and treatment of
oral cancer patients.
References
1. Hämäläinen P, Meurman JH,
Kauppinen M, Keskinen M. Oral infections as predictors of mortality (2005)
Gerodontology 22:151-157.
2. Guo F, Yang Y, Kang Y, Zang B,
Cui W, et al. Invasive candidiasis in intensive care units in China: a
multicentre prospective observational study (2013) J Antimicrob Chemother 68:
1660-1668.
3. Meurman J, Bascones-Martinez
A. Are oral and dental diseases linked to cancer? (2011) Oral Dis 17: 779-784.
4. Nørgaard M, Thomsen RW, Farkas
DK, Mogensen MF, Sørensen HT. Candida infection and cancer risk: A danish
nationwide cohort (2013) J Intern Med 24: 451-455.
5. Richardson MD, Warnock DW.
Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management (2003) 3rd Edition. Blackwell
Publishing.
6. Nieminen MT, Uittamo J,
Salaspuro M, Rautemaa R. Acetaldehyde production from ethanol and glucose by
non-candida albicans yeasts in vitro (2009) Oral Oncol 45: 245-248.
7. Scully C, EI-Kabir M,
Samaranayake LP. Candida and Oral Candidosis: A Review (1994) Crit Rev Oral
Biol Med 5: 125-157.
8. Hachem R, Hanna H,
Kontoyiannis D, Jiang Y, Raad I. The changing epidemiology of invasive
candidiasis (2008) Cancer 112: 2493-2499.
Keywords
Candida species,Oral infections, Non albicans, Acetaldehyde
