A NEW study has revealed that combining probiotics with immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy significantly improves digestive health, immune response, and overall prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). The study suggests that probiotic therapy could serve as a valuable addition to cancer treatment strategies, enhancing patient survival and reducing treatment-related complications.
The quasi-experimental study included 96 patients with mCRC, divided into two groups. One group received standard treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or chemotherapy alone, while the other group received the same treatment alongside probiotics. Over a two-year follow-up period, the patients in the probiotic group showed superior survival rates at six months, one year, and two years compared to those in the control group.
The study also assessed the impact of probiotics on intestinal health and immune function. Patients receiving probiotics exhibited significantly higher levels of beneficial gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, while harmful bacteria such as Enterococcus and Escherichia coli were notably reduced. Furthermore, markers of intestinal barrier integrity, including D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO), showed lower increases in the probiotic group, suggesting improved gut function.
From an immune perspective, patients receiving probiotics demonstrated higher levels of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, along with an increased CD4+/CD8+ ratio, indicating enhanced immune response. Additionally, their quality of life, as measured by the QLQC-30 scale, was significantly better than that of patients receiving standard treatment alone.
Notably, the incidence of chemotherapy-related complications such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and diarrhoea was markedly lower in the probiotic group. This suggests that probiotics may play a crucial role in mitigating the gastrointestinal side effects of cancer treatment.
The study highlights the potential of probiotics as a complementary approach to traditional cancer therapies. By supporting intestinal and immune health, probiotics could enhance treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Wang X et al. Effect of probiotics combined with immune checkpoint suppressors and chemotherapeutic agents on digestive system function, intestinal immunity and prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Gastroenterol. 2025;DOI: 10.1186/s12876-025-03604-9.
