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Postbiotics Against Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review Bridging Preclinical Evidence with Potential Clinical
Chiara Luongo1,2,3, Roberta Di Santillo1,2,3, Alessia Cadavere1,2,3
1Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy.
Cancers
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Postbiotics show promise against breast cancer by impacting tumor cells and the microenvironment. However, clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness in patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiome Research
- Immunology
Background:
- Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women globally.
- The human microbiome plays a crucial role in cancer development and treatment response.
- Postbiotics are gaining attention as safe alternatives to probiotics in cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanistic role of postbiotics in combating breast cancer.
- To explore preclinical evidence supporting postbiotic efficacy against various breast cancer subtypes.
- To identify the translational gap in clinical applications of postbiotics for breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of preclinical studies on postbiotics and breast cancer.
- Analysis of postbiotic mechanisms including oncogenic pathway modulation and epigenetic regulation.
- Examination of postbiotic effects on the tumor microenvironment and immune response.
Main Results:
- Preclinical data show postbiotics exert dose- and time-dependent anticancer effects.
- Postbiotics modulate key oncogenic pathways (PI3K/AKT, NF-κB) and induce epigenetic changes.
- Postbiotics influence the tumor microenvironment by reducing inflammation and enhancing immune cell activity (NK, T cells).
Conclusions:
- Postbiotics demonstrate significant potential against breast cancer through direct and indirect mechanisms.
- A considerable gap exists between preclinical findings and clinical validation of postbiotics in breast cancer.
- Further clinical trials are essential to establish the safety and efficacy of postbiotics for personalized breast cancer treatment.
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