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)
- Abbas Asoudeh-Fard
- Mohadeseh Asoudeh-Fard
- Asghar Parsaei
- 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
L. fermentum enhanced vincristine-induced apoptosis and reduced the required drug dose, which may contribute to lowering vincristine-associated toxicity.
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Large