Title:Potential Impacts of Prebiotics and Probiotics on Cancer Prevention
Volume: 22
Issue: 4
Author(s): Saptadip Samanta*
Affiliation:
- Department of Physiology, Midnapore College, Midnapore, Paschim Medinipur, 721101, West Bengal, India
Keywords:
Gut microbiota, dysbiosis, cancer, prebiotics, probiotics, immunotherapy.
Abstract: Background: Cancer is a serious problem throughout the world. The pathophysiology of cancer is
multifactorial and is also related to gut microbiota. Intestinal microbes are the useful resident of the healthy
human. They are significant for various aspects of human health, including nutritional biotransformation,
flushing of the pathogens, toxin neutralization, immune response, and onco-suppression. Disruption in the
interactions among the gut microbiota, intestinal epithelium, and the host immune system are associated with
gastrointestinal disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Probiotic bacteria
(Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp.) have been regarded as beneficial to health. Moreover, they also play a
significant role in immunomodulation and a preventive measure against obesity, diabetes, liver disease,
inflammatory bowel disease, tumor progression, and cancer.
Objective: The involvement of gut microorganisms in cancer development and prevention has been recognized as
a balancing factor. The events of dysbiosis emphasize metabolic disorder and carcinogenesis. The gut flora
potentiates immunomodulation and minimizes the limitations of usual chemotherapy. The significant role of
prebiotics and probiotics on the improvement of immunomodulation and antitumor properties has been
considered.
Methods: I had reviewed the literature on the multidimensional activities of prebiotics and probiotics from the
NCBI website database PubMed, Springer Nature, Science Direct (Elsevier), Google Scholar database to search
relevant articles. Specifically, I had focused on the role of prebiotics and probiotics in immunomodulation and
cancer prevention.
Results: Prebiotics are the nondigestible fermentable sugars that selectively influence the growth of probiotic
organisms that exert immunomodulation over the cancerous growth. The oncostatic properties of bacteria are
mediated through the recruitment of cytotoxic T cells, natural killer cells, and oxidative stress-induced apoptosis
in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, approaches have also been taken to use probiotics as an adjuvant in
cancer therapy.
Conclusion: The present review has indicated that dysbiosis is a crucial factor in many pathological situations,
including cancer. Applications of prebiotics and probiotics exhibit the immune-surveillance as oncostatic effects.
These events increase the possibilities of new therapeutic strategies for cancer prevention.