Review Article: Involvement of the Gut Microbiome and Probiotic Interventions in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic...

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common pediatric cancer marked by uncontrolled proliferation of lymphoblasts, primarily affecting children aged two to five years. While treatment success rates have reached 90% in children, challenges such as therapy toxicity and relapse persist. The gut microbiome, known to impact immune function, is often disrupted in ALL patients, potentially worsening with treatments like chemotherapy and antibiotics. Research suggests probiotics may help restore microbial balance and mitigate side effects, with certain strains showing promise in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms; however, their use requires caution in immunocompromised patients due to infection risks. Probiotics could improve treatment outcomes in ALL, but further research is needed to establish safe, standardized protocols for use in this sensitive population.