The Mycobiome: Cancer Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapy

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The role of the microbiome in health and disease has gained great attention over the past few decades. The evidence demonstrating the link between the microbiome and cancer has been growing. Although several studies have explored this topic, their main focus has been on bacteria, ignoring another important group in the microbiome: fungi. Recent studies have demonstrated the complex interactions between bacteria and fungi inhabiting the human body. Furthermore, published data show that the mycobiome has a significant role in the development of several cancers, such as the link between Malassezia and pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma. Additionally, studying bacteria and fungi together was shown to be more informative compared to single community analysis. Similarly, bacteriome and mycobiome modulation have significant positive effects on the efficacy and tolerability of the available anticancer therapies. Thus, microbiome studies should also include other microbial communities, such as fungi. ABSTRACT: Cancer is among the leading causes of death globally. Despite advances in cancer research, a full understanding of the exact cause has not been established. Recent data have shown that the microbiome has an important relationship with cancer on various levels, including cancer pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis, and treatment. Since most studies have focused only on the role of bacteria in this process, in this article we review the role of fungi—another important group of the microbiome, the totality of which is referred to as the “mycobiome”—in the development of cancer and how it can impact responses to anticancer medications. Furthermore, we provide recent evidence that shows how the different microbial communities interact and affect each other at gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal sites, including the skin, thereby emphasizing the importance of investigating the microbiome beyond bacteria.