Can probiotics stop oral cancer progression?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Oral cancer remains a significant global health concern with limited treatment options.
• Probiotics, live microorganisms conferring health benefits, are increasingly explored for their therapeutic potential.
• Emerging research suggests a role for probiotics in modulating the tumor microenvironment and immune responses relevant to cancer prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the efficacy of probiotics in inhibiting oral carcinogenesis.
• To identify specific probiotic strains with potential anti-oral cancer activity.
• To evaluate the mechanisms and outcomes of probiotic interventions in preclinical models of oral cancer.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA-P 2015 guidelines, searching four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PLOS) for studies published between January 2015 and February 2020.
• Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), encompassing in vivo (animal models) and in vitro (cell lines) investigations.
• Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools, and meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software.

Main Results:

• Out of 774 initial articles, five studies met the eligibility criteria, comprising two in vivo and three in vitro experiments.
• Four probiotic strains demonstrated inhibition of oral carcinogenesis: Acetobacter syzygii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius Ren, and AJ2 (a multi-strain probiotic).
• A meta-analysis of two studies using L. salivarius Ren showed a significant 95% reduction in oral cancer risk (OR = 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.23; p <0.05).

Conclusions:

• Preclinical evidence suggests that specific probiotics, notably Lactobacillus salivarius Ren, possess oral cancer inhibitory properties.
• The findings highlight the potential of probiotics as an adjunct or preventative strategy for oral cancer.
• Further human clinical trials are warranted to validate these promising preclinical results and establish the safety and efficacy of probiotics in oral cancer prevention and treatment.