An overview of yeast probiotics as cancer biotherapeutics: possible clinical application in colorectal cancer

Clin Transl Oncol. 2020 Aug;22(8):1227-1239. doi: 10.1007/s12094-019-02270-0. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

Abstract

The previous reports have established a strong link between diet, lifestyle, and gut microbiota population with the onset of the colorectal cancer (CRC). Administration of probiotics has become a particular interest in prevention and treatment of CRC. As potential dietary complements, probiotics might be able to lower the risk of CRC and manage the safety of traditional cancer therapies such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. This review investigates the promising effects of probiotics as biotherapeutics, with due attention to possible clinical application of yeast probiotics in prevention and treatment of CRC. In addition, various underlying anti-cancer mechanisms are covered here based on scientific evidence and findings from numerous experimental studies. Application of probiotics as biotherapeutics in CRC, however, needs to be approved by human clinical trials. It is of prime concern, to find potential probiotic strains, effective doses for administrations and regimes, and molecular mechanisms involved in prevention and treatment.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Molecular mechanisms; Probiotics; Yeasts.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Databases, Factual
  • Disease Progression
  • Folic Acid / biosynthesis
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / prevention & control
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Probiotics / adverse effects
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Saccharomyces boulardii / physiology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Yeasts* / physiology
  • beta-Glucans / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • beta-Glucans
  • Folic Acid