Gut microbiota resilience and recovery after anticancer chemotherapy

Abstract

Although research on the role of the gut microbiota (GM) in human health has sharply increased in recent years, what a “healthy” gut microbiota is and how it responds to major stressors is still difficult to establish. In particular, anticancer chemotherapy is known to have a drastic impact on the microbiota structure, potentially hampering its recovery with serious long-term consequences for patients’ health. However, the distinguishing features of gut microbiota recovery and non-recovery processes are not yet known. In this narrative review, we first investigated how gut microbiota layouts are affected by anticancer chemotherapy and identified potential gut microbial recovery signatures. Then, we discussed microbiome-based intervention strategies aimed at promoting resilience, i.e., the rapid and complete recovery of a healthy gut microbial network associated with a better prognosis after such high-impact pharmacological treatments.

Exploring Gut Microbiota Alterations with Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole and Dexamethasone in a Humanized Microbiome Mouse Model

“…These differences initially present may contribute to the overall structure and function of the microbiome, as variations in carbohydrate, amino acid, energy, cofactor, and vitamin metabolism were significantly different at the baseline between the HuM1Rag and HuM2Rag mice. Therefore, based on these initial differences, perturbations via TMP-SMX and dexamethasone treatment may alter the HuM1Rag and HuM2Rag microbial ecosystem, affecting functionality, structure, and recovery [50,51]. Previously noted recovery from an antibiotic regime is dependent on the individual, which indicates that the baseline microbiota present in the HuM1Rag and HuM2Rag mice will affect microbial resistance and recovery [50,52,53].…”

Milk Bioactive Compounds and Gut Microbiota Modulation: The Role of Whey Proteins and Milk Oligosaccharides

“…The prebiotic and gut microbiota modulating effects of lactoferrin have also been evaluated in both healthy individuals and those suffering from various pathologies or undergoing therapies. Indeed, pathogenic gut dysbiosis has been observed during diverse therapies, including anticancer chemotherapy [ 164 ], and various diseases, including cancer and HIV infection, and it has often been associated with disease progression [ 165 , 166 ]. Results from some clinical trials suggested that lactoferrin may provide an adjunctive therapy to accelerate the process of gut microbiota restoration, thereby improving health outcomes and the response to therapy.…”