Current status of probiotics for prevention and management of gastrointestinal cancers

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Gastrointestinal cancers contribute to a significant number of cancer- associated mortality. The gastrointestinal tract harbors a multitude of microorganisms, known as the microbiota. Recently, the microbiota is considered to be an accessory organ resulting in several health benefits. The microbiota is involved in almost all aspects of an individual ranging from managing behavior to controlling metabolism, immune status and the response to a disease. Researchers are observing the modulation of microbiota in almost every disease, including cancer. Probiotics are microorganisms that can help to alter the host microbiota toward a healthy state thus providing benefits from many diseases including cancer.

Areas covered

We explored the current status of the use of probiotics in cancer patients. Although probiotic bacteria can provide significant benefits to individuals suffering from cancer, the number of cancer-specific clinical products containing probiotics is not comparable to research studies showing their benefits. The lack of available products is due to several factors including a lack of risk assessment data of beneficial probiotics in cancer patients.

Expert opinion

Laboratory investigations indicate a huge potential of probiotics for the prevention and management of gastrointestinal cancer, but more clinical studies are required to support their application in clinical settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer
• microbiota
• probiotics
• cancer management

Article highlights

• Experimental studies demonstrate a strong role of probiotics in gastrointestinal cancer prevention and management.

• In contrast, probiotic clinical formulations specific for cancer are yet not popular.

• We covered current status of probiotics research in the field of gastrointestinal cancer.

• The popularization of probiotics in gastrointestinal cancer treatment needs more patient oriented data.

• Further studies can make probiotics an integral component of anticancer therapeutic regimens.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. Phillip Cash, University of Aberdeen, Scotland for critical reading and valuable suggestions for improvement of this manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper is not funded.