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Marine Polysaccharides Modulating the Gut Microbiota-Immune Axis in Digestive Tract Tumors: An Update
Lisheng Wang1, Danni Gao1, Xi Chen1
1Jinhua Academy of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jinhua 321000, China.
Marine Drugs
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Marine polysaccharides show promise for treating digestive tract tumors by modulating the gut microbiota-immune axis. Further research into their structure-activity relationships and delivery is needed for clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Digestive tract tumors pose a significant global health challenge, with current treatments facing limitations.
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) hinders immunotherapy effectiveness due to immunosuppression and heterogeneity.
- The gut microbiota-immune axis presents a promising therapeutic target for digestive tract tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the role of marine polysaccharides in modulating the gut microbiota-immune axis for digestive tract tumor treatment.
- To explore the structure-activity relationships (SARs) and delivery challenges of marine polysaccharides.
- To identify future research directions for optimizing marine polysaccharides as therapeutic agents.
Main Methods:
- Systematic synthesis of recent research on marine polysaccharides and the gut microbiota-immune axis in digestive tract tumors.
- Analysis of marine polysaccharide structure, flora regulation, immune activation, tumor inhibition, and delivery optimization.
- Review of bidirectional crosstalk between gut microbiota and the immune axis during tumorigenesis.
Main Results:
- Marine polysaccharides from algal, animal, and microbial sources can regulate the gut microbiota-immune axis.
- Mechanisms include targeted floral regulation, microbiota-mediated immune activation, and direct/indirect tumor suppression.
- Key structural determinants and modification strategies for marine polysaccharides were analyzed.
- Nanodelivery systems show potential for improving oral bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- Marine polysaccharides hold significant therapeutic potential for digestive tract tumors.
- Addressing ambiguous SARs and poor oral bioavailability is crucial for clinical translation.
- Integrating multi-omics, synthetic biology, and advanced nanodelivery strategies are key future research directions.
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