DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2023.v10i09.003

Pages: 211-218

More than 90% of malignancies being squamous cell carcinoma originates from the oral mucosa and oral cancer is one of the most prevelant cancer worldwide. Candida species are common members of the oral microflora and are generally being regarded as commensals. However, they are able to cause a range of opportunistic infections and suggest a link between the presence of candida albicans in the oral cavity and development of Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Candida species has been fundamentally linked to Cancereous processes as that takes advantage of the iumunosuppressed state of patients, particularly after Chemotherapy. However, this review will focus on the growing strength of the evidence that the Candida albicans is capable of promoting Cancer by several mechanisms: production of carcinogenic by products, triggering of Inflammation, induction of Th17 response, molecular mimicry that may be able to favour the Cancer development and dissemination. We underline the need not only to control this type of infection during Cancer treatment but also to find new therapeutic approaches to avoid the pro-tumour effect of this fungal species.