Postbiotics: emerging bioactive agents in cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Oncology

Background:

• Postbiotics are functional successors of probiotics, retaining key bioactive properties.
• They mediate host-microbe interactions and influence tumor biology and immune regulation.
• Postbiotics offer potential for enhancing anti-cancer treatments with improved safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically classify postbiotics based on their formation.
• To elucidate mechanisms of postbiotic anti-tumor activity.
• To address challenges hindering clinical application and guide future development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of current research on postbiotics.
• Analysis of postbiotic formation processes and mechanisms of action.
• Evaluation of therapeutic potential and clinical challenges.

Main Results:

• Postbiotics exhibit significant potential in modulating tumor proliferation, metastasis, and immune responses.
• They can synergize with existing anti-cancer therapies.
• Current limitations include imprecise definitions and lack of standardized manufacturing.

Conclusions:

• Postbiotic-based cancer therapy is an evolving field with significant therapeutic promise.
• Systematic classification and standardization are crucial for clinical translation.
• Further research and industrial development are needed to overcome current challenges.