Candida albicans and candidalysin in inflammatory disorders and cancer

Abstract

As our understanding of mycology progresses, the impact of fungal microbes on human health has become increasingly evident. Candida albicans is a common commensal fungus that gives rise to local and systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients where it can result in mortality. However, C. albicans has also been quietly linked with a variety of inflammatory disorders, to which it has traditionally been considered incidental; recent studies may now provide new aspects of these relationships for further consideration. This review provides a novel perspective on the impact of C. albicans and its peptide toxin, candidalysin, on human health, exploring their contributions to pathology within a variety of diseases.

Keywords: Candida albicans; IL-17; candidalysin; gut barrier; mucosal disease.

Figure 1

Candida albicans potential contribution to disease. Potential C. albicans mechanisms of contributing to disease include potent induction of IL‐17 signalling, breach of gut epithelial barriers and activation of multiple cancer‐associated factors.