title: Probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal toxicity from cancer therapy: an interpretive review and call to action.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is currently an unmet need for agents that can prevent the gastrointestinal toxicity (mucositis and enteritis) associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy of abdominal and pelvic cancers. Herein we provide an overview of how manipulation of the gut microbiota by probiotic administration affects these gastrointestinal symptoms. We focus this review on published human trials and also provide suggestions on how the field can move forward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several clinical trials of varying design, patient populations and probiotic products have been reported. Lactobacillus probiotics of adequate dosage demonstrate a potential to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity when administered prophylactically. Common study limitations prevent the widespread adoption of this practice at this point but are informative for rational design of future trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No single probiotic strain or product has emerged from human clinical trials for this indication. Further human studies are required to address limitations in the current literature. Preclinical model data should be used to inform the rational design of these new clinical trials to adequately address this important question.
authors: aDivision of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri bDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota cDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors: Matthew A
authors: MA
authors: Ciorba
authors: Christopher L
authors: CL
authors: Hallemeier
authors: William F
authors: WF
authors: Stenson
authors: Parag J
authors: PJ
authors: Parikh
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004751:Enteritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D052016:Mucositis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents