Molecular Mechanisms of Probiotic Action Against Gastrointestinal Cancers.

2025-08-14
International journal of molecular sciences 26(16)
- Christina Thoda
- Maria Touraki

PubMed: 40869174
DOI: 10.3390/ijms26167857

Study Design

Type: Review
Methods: This review aims to synthesize the current in vitro and in vivo evidence on probiotics' effectiveness in GI cancer chemoprevention and treatment.

Rigorous Journal

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a major global health burden. Among them, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common type, followed by esophagus, stomach, liver, and pancreatic cancer. Since disturbance of the gut microbiota has been directly associated with the development of severe health issues, including cancer, probiotic administration may induce dysbiosis reversion and ameliorate carcinogenesis. Therefore, manipulation of the gut microbiota composition based on probiotic utilization has gradually attained scientific interest as a potent therapeutic modality for GI cancers. This review aims to synthesize the current in vitro and in vivo evidence on probiotics' effectiveness in GI cancer chemoprevention and treatment. It also provides a classification of the fundamental anticancer features of probiotics, including antiproliferation and cell death induction, anticarcinogenic compound production, reduction in chemotherapy-related toxicity, gut microbiota modulation, intestinal barrier improvement, antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effects, and carcinogen detoxification. Finally, it underscores the future perspectives and challenges of probiotic administration to individuals. In this regard, it emphasizes the exploitation of advanced encapsulation techniques and the development of novel genetically engineered probiotics and next-generation probiotics as feasible ways to improve their bioavailability, ensure their targeted delivery, and eliminate their mild side effects to the host's health.

Research Insights

Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Improved Gut Microbiota Composition
probiotic administration may induce dysbiosis reversion
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Improved Intestinal Barrier Function
the fundamental anticancer features of probiotics, including... intestinal barrier improvement
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Cancer Incidence
probiotic administration may induce dysbiosis reversion and ameliorate carcinogenesis. Therefore, manipulation of the gut microbiota composition based on probiotic utilization has gradually attained scientific interest as a potent therapeutic modality for GI cancers.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Cancer Progression
manipulation of the gut microbiota composition based on probiotic utilization has gradually attained scientific interest as a potent therapeutic modality for GI cancers. This review aims to synthesize the current in vitro and in vivo evidence on probiotics' effectiveness in GI cancer chemoprevention and treatment.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Inflammation
the fundamental anticancer features of probiotics, including... immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effects
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92→Reduced Toxicity
the fundamental anticancer features of probiotics, including... reduction in chemotherapy-related toxicity
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus acidophilus SD-5212→Reduced Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk
probiotic administration may induce dysbiosis reversion and ameliorate carcinogenesis... It also provides a classification of the fundamental anticancer features of probiotics
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small