Probiotic-enhanced chemotherapy: Lactobacillus fermentum synergizes with vincristine to induce apoptosis via dual pathway activation in human cancer cells.

2025-11-05
Cancer cell international 25(1)

PubMed: 41194119
DOI: 10.1186/s12935-025-04032-1

Study Design

Population: colorectal (HT-29) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells
Methods: Cells were treated with vincristine, L. fermentum, or both. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed via Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry. Gene expression changes were evaluated by RT-qPCR.

Background

Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus species, show promise as adjuvants in cancer therapy due to their pro-apoptotic effects. This study investigated the synergistic impact of Lactobacillus fermentum (Ab.RS23) and vincristine sulfate on colorectal (HT-29) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells.

Methods

Cells were treated with vincristine, L. fermentum, or both. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed via Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry. Gene expression changes were evaluated by RT-qPCR.

Results

Co-treatment reduced the IC₅₀ of vincristine by 8-fold in HT-29 and 13-fold in MCF-7 cells. Apoptotic signaling was enhanced, with pro-apoptotic pathways upregulated and survival pathways downregulated.

Conclusion

L. fermentum enhanced vincristine-induced apoptosis and reduced the required drug dose, which may contribute to lowering vincristine-associated toxicity. These findings require confirmation through in vivo studies.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus fermentum	—	Reduced Vincristine Dose Requirement	Beneficial	Large	View source L. fermentum enhanced vincristine-induced apoptosis and reduced the required drug dose, which may contribute to lowering vincristine-associated toxicity.