Abstract
The etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not fully understood. While risk factors such as positive human papilloma virus (HPV) status, smoking and tobacco use have been identified, they do not account for all cases of the disease. We aimed to characterize the bacteriome, mycobiome and mycobiome-bacteriome interactions of oral wash in HNSCC patients and to determine if they are distinct from those of the oral wash of matched non-HNSCC patients. Oral wash samples were collected from 46 individuals with HNSCC and 46 controls for microbiome analyses. We identified three fungal phyla and eleven bacterial phyla of which Ascomycota (fungi, 72%) and Firmicutes (bacteria, 39%) were the most dominant, respectively. A number of organisms were identified as being differentially abundant between oral wash samples from patients with HNSCC and oral wash samples from those without HNSCC. Of note, strains of Candida albicans and Rothia mucilaginosa were differentially abundant and Schizophyllum commune was depleted in those with HNSCC compared to oral wash from those without HNSCC. Our results suggest that the oral cavity of HNSCC patients harbors unique differences in the mycobiome, bacteriome, and microbiome interactions when compared to those of control patients.
Highlights
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) refers to cancer arising from the squamous epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, nasopharynx, and larynx
Our results suggest that the oral cavity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients harbors unique differences in the mycobiome, bacteriome, and microbiome interactions when compared to those of control patients
Vesty et al reported an abundance of Candida albicans in the saliva of HNSCC patients that correlated with the abundance of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-8 [25]
Summary
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) refers to cancer arising from the squamous epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, nasopharynx, and larynx. This constellation of diseases results in greater than 300,000 deaths annually, and those that do survive often suffer from significantly impaired quality of life [1, 2]. Tobacco use, and positive human papillomavirus (HPV) status are well-known risk factors for HNSCC [3]. Three-quarters of HNSCC cases can be attributed to cigarette smoking and tobacco use [4, 5]. Patients with Fanconi anemia, a heritable syndrome characterized by genomic instability, develop HNSCC at higher incidences and younger ages than the general population [13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
