Alcohol May Increase Head and Neck Cancer Recurrence Risk
Washington, D.C.—Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common pathological types of head and neck cancers. A new study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, has demonstrated that there is dysbiosis of intratumoral fungal and bacterial communities in the LSCC tumor microenvironment and that these specific microbes, influenced by factors such as alcohol consumption, can act as independent predictors of LSCC recurrence. The findings open new possibilities for using the microbiome as a biomarker and therapeutic target in LSCC management.In the new study, researchers enrolled 80 patients with LSCC and collected samples from both tumor tissues and nearby healthy tissues after surgery. They organized the clinical information from patients and conducted regular outpatient or telephone follow-up to inquire about their recovery and survival. The researchers took DNA from the samples and identified and quantified different types of fungi and bacteria present in the tumors and the normal tissues. They analyzed the data and compared the diversity and abundance of the tumor fungal community versus para-cancerous tissues. They then performed statistical tests to see if there was any connection between the intratumoral microbiome and alcohol consumption patterns. They also investigated how these microbial findings related to the recurrence of LSCC, to identify potential risk factors.
The researchers found that LSCC tissues had significant differences compared to nearby normal tissues. There were specific microbial culprits that formed a "microbial complex," including certain fungi (e.g., Penicillium, Exophiala, Aspergillus) and bacteria (e.g., Alloprevotella, Porphyromonas, Peptostreptococcus), which were strongly linked to LSCC recurrence. Furthermore, they found that alcohol consumption, especially heavy drinking, was associated with an altered microbial profile and increased recurrence risk.
“We suggested that microbial complex was a significant predictor of LSCC recurrence,” said corresponding study author Ming Zhang, Ph.D., chief physician and doctoral supervisor, ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University in Shanghai, China. “The microbial complex provides a non-invasive biomarker to predict the risk of LSCC recurrence. Besides, we suggest that targeting specific fungi and bacteria might be a potential treatment approach.” Zhang also suggested that modifying the microbiome with probiotics, antifungals or microbiome editing, could help improve LSCC patient outcomes. “Our findings, if confirmed based on future multicenter prospective studies, could offer insights into the etiology of LSCC and pave way to prevent and treat LSCC,” Zhang added.
Zhang said it is crucial to highlight that the study is among the first to integrate fungal and bacterial analyses in LSCC tissues, offering a novel perspective on cancer microbiome research. In the future, he said, collaborative efforts between microbiologists, oncologists and data scientists will be essential to translate these findings into practical clinical applications.
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The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 37,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.
ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.
The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 37,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.
ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.
