The Potential Anticancer Mechanisms of Probiotics: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Cancer is a major global health challenge with increasing incidence due to lifestyle and environmental factors.
• Developing effective, low-side-effect cancer therapies is a critical unmet need.
• Probiotics are emerging as a viable strategy due to their demonstrated anti-tumor properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the anti-cancer mechanisms of probiotics.
• To summarize clinical evidence supporting probiotics in cancer treatment.
• To discuss future perspectives, including safety and strain-specific effects.

Main Methods:

• Review of cell and animal experiments detailing probiotic anti-cancer actions.
• Compilation of clinical trial data on probiotics for cancer therapy.
• Analysis of scientific literature on probiotic-mediated effects on signaling pathways, apoptosis, and immunity.

Main Results:

• Probiotics exert anti-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including blocking signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, and modulating the gut microbiota.
• They enhance anti-tumor immunity, reduce inflammation, and can improve the efficacy of conventional cancer therapies.
• Clinical evidence suggests potential benefits, though further research is needed.

Conclusions:

• Probiotics offer a promising avenue for cancer prevention and treatment with diverse anti-tumor mechanisms.
• Further investigation into safety, limitations, and strain-specific effects is crucial for optimizing their clinical application.
• Probiotics represent a novel strategy to complement existing cancer therapies.