Probiotics in Cancer Prevention, Updating the Evidence

Abstract

A probiotic is defined as a live microorganism that, when ingested in adequate amounts, exerts a health benefit to the host. Probiotics have been documented to exert anticarcinogenic properties and prevention of cancer by several mechanisms, including the stimulation of the immune system, decreasing the incidence of infections, regulating gut inflammation, and binding toxic compounds. This chapter analyzes existing data from animal and human studies to highlight the therapeutic and preventive effects of probiotics in cancer. We researched Science Direct by using "probiotics," "cancer," and "prevention" to search for studies of the application of probiotics and the beneficial effects of probiotics in cancer control and treatment. A number of studies indicated that administration of bifidobacteria or lactobacilli alone or with fermentable carbohydrates (prebiotics) can alter colonic microbiota and decrease the development of early preneoplastic lesions and tumors and may be related to a lower incidence of cancer. é 2016 Elsevier Inc.