Pulmonary colonization of Candida albicans drives breast cancer lung metastasis via candidalysin
How to prepare an accurate paper press kit? Illustrated guide
Z. Ma, L. Chen, Y. Fang, F. Gao, L. Liu, J. Wu et al. · DOI: 10.64898/2026.10.23.759946 · Summary page
Why cover this story this week?
A fungal foothold may help cancer spread
The microbes living in a distant organ may influence whether cancer can establish itself there. A breast-cancer preprint reports enrichment of Candida albicans in lung metastases and links its metastasis-promoting activity to candidalysin, a fungal toxin. The proposed chain runs through pulmonary mast cells: toxin exposure activates them, prompting signals that expand immune-suppressing cell populations and inhibit cancer-killing lymphocytes.
Experiments using clinical fungal isolates and genetically matched mutants tied the strength of the effect to candidalysin secretion. A combination regimen aimed at eliminating fungal colonization, stabilizing mast cells and reversing immune suppression curtailed metastatic progression. The broader implication is that a destination organ’s microbial residents can help prepare favorable conditions for cancer. The abstract does not establish that this combination is effective as a treatment in patients.
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