Prebiotics‐Encapsulated Probiotic Spores Regulate Gut Microbiota and Suppress Colon Cancer

Abstract

While microbial‐based therapy has been considered as an effective strategy for treating diseases such as colon cancer, its safety remains the biggest challenge. Here, probiotics and prebiotics, which possess ideal biocompatibility and are extensively used as additives in food and pharmaceutical products, are combined to construct a safe microbiota‐modulating material. Through the host–guest chemistry between commercial Clostridium butyricum and chemically modified prebiotic dextran, prebiotics‐encapsulated probiotic spores (spores‐dex) are prepared. It is found that spores‐dex can specifically enrich in colon cancers after oral administration. In the lesion, dextran is fermented by C. butyricum, and thereby produces anti‐cancer short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Additionally, spores‐dex regulate the gut microbiota, augment the abundance of SCFA‐producing bacteria (e.g., Eubacterium and Roseburia), and markedly increase the overall richness of microbiota. In subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models, drug‐loaded spores‐dex inhibit tumor growth up to 89% and 65%, respectively. Importantly, no obvious adverse effect is found. The work sheds light on the possibility of using a highly safe strategy to regulate gut microbiota, and provides a promising avenue for treating various gastrointestinal diseases.

Colorectal cancer and microbiota modulation for clinical use. A systematic review

“…This symbiotic decreases tumor invasiveness and also promotes a healthier and more diverse microbiota coupled with increased production of SCFA. 96 This work is interesting for clinical studies as both dextran and C. butyricum are approved for use in food applications and showed no notable side effects. 96 Another symbiotic studied is the combination of Lactobacillus gasseri 505 and Cudrania tricuspidata leaf extract in fermented milk.…”

“…96 This work is interesting for clinical studies as both dextran and C. butyricum are approved for use in food applications and showed no notable side effects. 96 Another symbiotic studied is the combination of Lactobacillus gasseri 505 and Cudrania tricuspidata leaf extract in fermented milk. This symbiotic was shown to reduce tumor incidence and malignancy in a model of CRC-associated colitis.…”

“…Recent studies are using prebiotics as a basis for the synthesis of therapeutic targets for cancer treatment because of their promising role in this field. 96…”

Applications of Biopolymers for Drugs and Probiotics Delivery

“…For example, Christian Hansen and Dos Pinos developed probiotic ice cream, Balchem Encapsulates and Rosell Institute developed probiotic raisins and bars, and Dannon uses probiotics encapsulated in their products [ 177 ]. Encapsulated probiotics have been effective in irritable bowel syndrome [ 178 ], colitis, abdominal pain [ 179 ], and other gut or metabolic conditions characterized by microbiota dysbiosis [ 180 ].…”

X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy on Microbial Cell Surfaces: A Forgotten Method for the Characterization of Microorganisms Encapsulated With Surface-Engineered Shells

“…Recently, adamantane receptors have been grafted on the surface of Clostridium butyricum to create ligand-receptor binding of β-cyclodextrin (ligand) modified dextran to create an encapsulating shell (Zheng et al, 2020).…”