Colorectal Cancer and Probiotics: Are Bugs Really Drugs?

Overview

Journal Cancers (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Oncology

Date 2020 May 9

PMID 32380712

Citations 13

Authors

Purushottam Lamichhane

Morgan Maiolini

Omar Alnafoosi

Sedra Hussein

Hasan Alnafoosi

Stewart Umbela

Tayanna Richardson

Nevien Alla

Narottam Lamichhane

Bobban Subhadra

Rahul R Deshmukh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. There are many factors that predispose a patient to the disease such as age, family history, ethnicity, and lifestyle. There are different genetic factors and diseases that also increase a person's risk for developing CRC. Studies have found associations between gut microbiome and the risk for developing versus protection against CRC. Normal gut microbiome aid in daily functions of the human body such as absorption, metabolism, detoxification, and regulation of inflammation. While some species of bacteria prevent CRC development and aid in therapeutic responses to various treatment regiments, other species seem to promote CRC pathogenesis. In this regard, many studies have been conducted to not only understand the biology behind these opposing different bacterial species; but also to determine if supplementation of these tumor opposing bacterial species as probiotics lends toward decreased risk of CRC development and improved therapeutic responses in patients with CRC. In this literature review, we aim to discuss the basics on colorectal cancer (epidemiology, risk factors, targets, treatments), discuss associations between different bacterial strains and CRC, and discuss probiotics and their roles in CRC prevention and treatment.

Citing Articles

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