Katarzyna Karłowicz-Bodalska, Dorota Bęben, Natalia Janicka, Łukasz Gądek, Grażyna Bodalska

Intestinal Microbiota as a Determinant of Effectiveness and Safety of Anticancer Therapy
2024-06-26

Study subject. The study was conducted in order to assess the impact of the microbiota on the efficacy and safety of anti-cancer therapies. The microbiome plays a significant role in the maintenance of immunity. Its individual variability determines many physiological processes. Many factors, including cancer treatment, can lead to disruption of its homeostasis.

Research Objective. The aim of this study is to organize knowledge on the link between the composition of the microbiota and the response to cancer therapies.

Literature search and selection methodology. The literature was reviewed from available scientific databases: PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. Keywords used were: microbiota, microbiome, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, cancer, tumor, probiotics.

Results. Studies have shown that a healthy gut microbiota influences the effectiveness of cancer therapy through multiple processes such as interactions with cancer cells, modulation of the immune response and interference with drug metabolism. As a result of treatment, dysbiosis, i.e., quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiota, occurs, which negatively affects the effectiveness of therapy and increases side effects that reduce the quality of life of the cancer patient. In order to alleviate and prevent gastrointestinal complaints, supplementation with tested strains of probiotic bacteria is recommended. Clinical studies clarify the mechanisms of action and confirm the validity of probiotics in oncology treatment.

Conclusions. The review confirms the influence of the microbiota on the effectiveness and safety of anticancer treatment, and also takes into account the changes in bacterial composition caused by the use of different treatments. Further research in this direction is needed, along with a detailed explanation of the microbiota activity mechanisms. Wider analyses taking into account the condition of a patient with a given microbiological profile will allow individualization of pharmacotherapy with tailored probiotic supplementation. This will reduce side effects, improve patient well-being and treatment efficacy.

Keywords: cancer, microbiota, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, microbiome, chemotherapy.

© Farm Pol, 2024, 80(2): 101–110