Effect of Probiotics in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Probiotics may have the potential to protect against breast cancer, partly through systemic immunomodulatory action and active impact upon intestinal microbiota. Given a few clinical studies on their curative role, we conducted a systematic review of the potential effects of probiotics in breast cancer patients and survivors of breast cancer, aiming to support further clinical studies. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and the CENTRAL databases from inception through to March 2022. A total of eight randomized clinical trials were identified from thirteen articles published between 2004 and 2022. We evaluated quality-of-life measures, observed bacterial species and diversity indices, probiotic-related metabolites, inflammatory biomarkers, and other responses in breast cancer patients and survivors. Results were synthesized qualitatively and quantitatively using random-effects meta-analysis. Different probiotics supplements utilized included Lactobacillus species alone (Lacto), with or without estriol; probiotic combinations of Lactobacillus with Bifidobacterium (ProLB), with or without prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS); ProLB plus Streptococcus and FOS (ProLBS + FOS); and ProLB plus Enterococcus (ProLBE). We found that use of ProLBS with FOS in breast cancer patients and use of ProLBE in survivors of breast cancer show potential benefits in countering obesity and dyslipidemia. ProLBS with FOS use decreases pro-inflammatory TNF-α in breast cancer survivors and improves quality of life in those with breast-cancer-associated lymphedema. Supplementing probiotics capsules (109 CFU) with a prebiotic and using an intake duration of 10 weeks could provide a better approach than probiotics alone.

The effects of prebiotic, probiotic or synbiotic supplementation on overweight/obesity indicators: an umbrella review of the trials’ meta-analyses

“…The research primarily concentrated on obese individuals with NAFLD aged one day to 85 years old. The main measured indicators were body weight ( 23 , 28 , 56 , 59 , 69 – 85 ), BMI ( 23 , 28 , 56 , 59 , 60 , 65 , 69 – 82 , 84 – 105 ), WC ( 28 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 75 , 79 – 81 , 85 , 87 , 90 , 93 , 94 , 99 , 101 ), hip circumference (HC) ( 90 ), waist to hip ratio (WHR) ( 78 , 80 , 90 , 94 ), body fat percent (BF%) ( 71 , 75 , 80 , 85 , 90 , 94 ), and BFM ( 56 , 61 , 71 , 72 , 75 , 80 , 81 , 90 ). Probiotic supplementation significantly reduced weight, BMI, WC, BF%, and BFM across most studies.…”

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Induces Apoptosis in Melanoma and Breast Cancer Cells

“…As an example, a review published in 2020 by Eslami et al stated that the microbiome represents a risk factor for breast cancer and is essential for its response to therapy [ 51 ]; the authors also reported various species of Lactobacillus able to inhibit early-stage breast carcinogenesis and to induce tumor reduction. Similarly, Thu et al collected data on randomized clinical trials regarding the use of probiotics in breast cancer patients and survivors; their systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that probiotics reduced both cancer severity and symptoms leading to improved prognosis [ 52 ]. LP was administered to experimental melanoma-bearing mice where it acted as an anticancer agent through the stimulation of the immune system as well as angiogenesis suppression [ 29 ].…”

Synbiotics in Oncology: A Scoping Review Protocol on Their Impact and Outcomes in Cancer Care

“…Several experimental studies have yielded significant results substantiating the use of synbiotics in different cancer types (e.g., liver cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, and blood cancer) in the domain of cancer prevention, therapeutic intervention, and side effect management via various pathways (i.e., inhibition of NF-kB, reduced levels of H2AX, 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine, RIG-I, downregulation of IL-17, and TNF signaling pathways) [23]. This evidence has been particularly corroborated in the field of breast cancer care [24]. Despite the experimental application of synbiotics in cancer care, a comprehensive summary of the literature to pinpoint specific cancer-related outcomes targeted by probiotics and to evaluate the extent of evidence supporting each outcome is noticeably absent [25].…”