An Update on the Effects of Probiotics on Gastrointestinal Cancers

Abstract

Because of their increasing prevalence, gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are regarded as an important global health challenge. Microorganisms residing in the human GI tract, termed gut microbiota, encompass a large number of living organisms. The role of the gut in the regulation of the gut-mediated immune responses, metabolism, absorption of micro- and macro-nutrients and essential vitamins, and short-chain fatty acid production, and resistance to pathogens has been extensively investigated. In the past few decades, it has been shown that microbiota imbalance is associated with the susceptibility to various chronic disorders, such as obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, psychiatric disorders, and various types of cancer. Emerging evidence has shown that oral administration of various strains of probiotics can protect against cancer development. Furthermore, clinical investigations suggest that probiotic administration in cancer patients decreases the incidence of postoperative inflammation. The present review addresses the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of action of probiotics against GI cancers. The safety of the most commercial probiotic strains has been confirmed, and therefore these strains can be used as adjuvant or neo-adjuvant treatments for cancer prevention and improving the efficacy of therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, well-designed clinical studies are still needed for a better understanding of the properties and mechanisms of action of probiotic strains in mitigating GI cancer development.

Probiotics as an Adjuvant for Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers through their Anti-inflammatory Effects: A Mechanistic Review

“…When it comes to probiotics and the benefits of taking them, Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Bifidobacteria are the first type of bacteria that comes to mind; however, some other yeasts and bacilli may be considered probiotics as well. Next to the protective roles against pathogenic microorganisms, it now becomes clear that probiotics could also trigger the immune surveillance against any malignancies through modulating anti-inflammatory, immune responses or interacting with cytotoxic lymphocytes Treg [54,57,[59][60][61][62]. There is a general point of view that probiotic bacteria could be used as a tool to modulate the microbiota and potentiate gut barrier function, thereby preventing cancer development and progression [63,64].…”

Probiotics and live biotherapeutic products aiming at cancer mitigation and patient recover

“…Different species of Lactobacillus inhibit the production of interleukin-8 and interferon gamma, attenuating inflammation in gastric epithelial cells and inhibit the adhesion of the bacterium H. pylori , linked to the initiation of gastric and colorectal cancer. ( Davoodvandi et al, 2021 ).…”

“…B. longum and L. acidophilus treatment of Barrett’s esophagus cells downregulated the expression of caudal type homeobox 1, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor α, and phosphoprotein. 53, while the expression level of Interleukin-18 was enhanced, inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells ( Davoodvandi et al, 2021 ).…”

Probiotics in the Era of Diabetes, is it a Hope or a Hype; Narrative Review of Literature

“…It includes using antioxidants, agents that lower the cholesterol, and mineral supplements [8]. In recent times, limited studies (mainly on animals) have also concluded that expenditure of probiotics can improve the metabolic profiles [9]. But these effects were noticed on animals and non-diabetic models.…”