Overview of the Mechanistic Potential of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Cancer Chemoprevention

Factors attributing to the anticarcinogenic activity or the mechanistic potential of probiotics include maintenance of intestinal barrier function, modifying innate immune system, immunomodulation, intestinal microbiota metabolism, inhibition of host cell proliferation, preventing pathogen colonization, release of anticarcinogenic substances, and exerting selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells. AbstractDespite of strides in modern cancer therapeutic strategies, there has not been a successful cure for it until now and prognostic side effects and substantial toxicity to chemotherapy and subsequent homeostatic imbalance remains a major concern for professionals in this field. The significance of the human microbiome in the pathogenesis of cancer is being recognized, documented, and established worldwide. Probiotics and prebiotics are some of the most extensively researched approaches to modulate the microbiota for therapeutic purposes, and research on their potential to prevent and treat cancer has sparked an immense amount of interest. The characteristics of probiotics and prebiotics allow for an array of efficient applications in cancer preventive measures. Probiotics can also be administered coupled with  chemotherapy and surgery to alleviate their side effects and help promote the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs. Besides showing promising results they are accompanied by potential risks and controversies that may eventually result in clinical repercussions. This...
Source: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research