title: Probiotics in colorectal cancer (CRC) with emphasis on mechanisms of action and current perspectives.
abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common form of cancer. Diverse therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation have shown beneficial effects, but are limited because of their safety and toxicity. Probiotic formulations have shown great promise in CRC as preventive and early stage therapeutics. This review highlights the importance of a balanced intestinal microbiota and summarizes the recent developments in probiotics for treating CRC. Specifically, this report describes evidence of the role of probiotics in modulating the microbiota, in improving the physico-chemical conditions of the gut and in reducing oxidative stress. It also discusses the mechanisms of probiotics in inhibiting tumour progression, in producing anticancer compounds and in modulating the host immune response. Even though some of these effects were observed in several clinical trials, when probiotic formulations were used as a supplement to CRC therapies, the application of probiotics as biotherapeutics against CRC still needs further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Room 101, Lady Meredith House, 1110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A3, Canada.|Biomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory, Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, and Artificial Cells and Organs Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Imen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kahouli
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory, Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, and Artificial Cells and Organs Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tomaro-Duchesneau
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Room 101, Lady Meredith House, 1110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A3, Canada.|Biomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory, Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, and Artificial Cells and Organs Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Satya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prakash
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018450:Disease Progression; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D054892:Metagenome / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*