Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40557321›Full record

ReviewFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology2025

Fungi and cancer: unveiling the complex role of fungal infections in tumor biology and therapeutic resistance.

Wanli Zhang, He Zhang, Yiru Gao, Jianjun Lei, Chenhao Suo

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Polyporusterone E, a Key Component ofInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2026
    Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Urinary tract infection caused by rare yeastFrontiers in immunology · 2026
    Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Wanli Zhang *College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
He Zhang *Department of Laboratory Animal Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Yiru Gao *College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Jianjun LeiDepartment of Laboratory Animal Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Chenhao SuoDepartment of Laboratory Animal Center, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the most significant causes of mortality across the world. Despite remarkable advancements made in early detection, therapeutic strategies, and the advent of immunotherapy in recent years, numerous challenges continue to hinder optimal outcomes. The development and progression of cancer are driven not only by genetic and epigenetic alterations within tumor cells but also by dynamic interactions occurring with the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). It is a highly complex milieu composed of tumor cells, non-tumor stromal cells, extracellular matrix components, immune cells, blood vessels, and diverse signaling molecules. Emerging evidence underscores the pivotal role of fungi in influencing cancer biology, including initiation, progression, immune evasion, and the modulation of TME. Fungi, which are omnipresent microorganisms, have traditionally been considered opportunistic pathogens. However, recent research highlights their broader impact on host immunity and their potential contributions to cancer pathogenesis. For instance, in patients with cancer, fungal infections not only exacerbate clinical complications but also create conditions conducive to tumor growth, metastasis, and immune escape by altering the immune microenvironment. In addition, fungal-derived metabolites and their interactions with host immune pathways can significantly modulate the efficacy of immunotherapies. These findings have spurred interest in exploring antifungal strategies as adjunctive approaches in cancer management, positioning antifungal therapy as a burgeoning area of oncological research. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the complex interplay between fungi and cancer. It examines the multifaceted role of fungal infections in tumor biology, the mechanisms through which fungi reshape the TME through immune modulation and their influence on immune-evasion strategies and therapeutic resistance. Furthermore, the potential for integrating antifungal therapies into comprehensive cancer treatment regimens has been highlighted, offering insights into novel avenues for improving patient outcomes.

Indexed as

FungiMycosesNeoplasmsAnimalsAntifungal AgentsHost-Pathogen InteractionsHumansImmune EvasionImmunotherapyTumor MicroenvironmentAntifungal Agentsantifungal therapyantifungal therapy fungicancerfungal derived metabolitesfungal-derived metabolitesimmunitytumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID40557321
PMCPMC12185418

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.