The Role of Short-chain Fatty Acids in Cancer Prevention and Cancer Treatment

Overview

Journal Arch Biochem Biophys

Publisher Elsevier

Specialties Biochemistry
Biophysics

Date 2024 Oct 6

PMID 39369836

Authors

Balaraman Kalyanaraman

Gang Cheng

Micael Hardy

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are microbial metabolites in the gut that may play a role in cancer prevention and treatment. They affect the metabolism of both normal and cancer cells, regulating various cellular energetic processes. SCFAs also inhibit histone deacetylases, which are targets for cancer therapy. The three main SCFAs are acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are transported into cells through specific transporters. SCFAs may enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents and modulate immune cell metabolism, potentially reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. Although SCFAs and SCFA-generating microbes enhance therapeutic efficacy of several forms of cancer therapy, published data also support the opposing viewpoint that SCFAs mitigate the efficacy of some cancer therapies. Therefore, the relationship between SCFAs and cancer is more complex, and this review discusses some of these aspects. Clearly, further research is needed to understand the role of SCFAs, their mechanisms, and applications in cancer prevention and treatment.

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