Abstract

The potential of the intestinal microbiota in maintaining the organic balance has gained focus over the last few years. Probiotics are microorganisms that help restore and increase the microbiota present in the body, providing the individual with greater stability and response to aggressions. This study aims to evaluate the immunotherapeutic potential of probiotics in cancer patients. The methodology adopted was a narrative review with a guiding question outlined according to the PICo strategy. The scientific search was carried out in the electronic databases PubMed, BVS and Elsevier, using the descriptors: probiotic immunotherapy and cancer patients. After reading the titles and abstracts, the selected works were studied in full. Within their spectrum of action, it was observed in the literature that in addition to their antitumor potential, probiotics have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The intrinsic properties of such microorganisms led this study to search the available literature for lines of evidence between the administration of probiotics and the immunological benefits. Data obtained indicates a beneficial role of probiotics in the prevention of carcinogenesis and open up new therapeutic alternatives for cancer patients.

Keywords: Immunotherapy; Probiotics; Cancer

Abbreviations:VHL: Virtual Health Library; TGF -β: Transforming Growth Factor Beta; EcN: Escherichia coli Nissle 1917; Gal: Galunisertib; NGPS: Next Generation Probiotics, ICB: Immune Checkpoint Blockade; LPS: Lipopolysaccharides