Pharma To Date

A new study from the School of Life Sciences at Lanzhou University in China has uncovered the potential of bacterial therapy for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. The research, led by Professor Li Xiangkai, centers around Limosilactobacillus fermentum GR-3, a probiotic derived from “Jiangshui,” a traditional fermented food from northwestern China. This probiotic has demonstrated the ability to promote apoptosis in colon cancer cells while inhibiting tumor proliferation.

The Role of Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a major public health concern globally, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer deaths. In China alone, approximately 550,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality rates. Recent studies suggest that patients with colorectal cancer often have an imbalance in their gut microbiota, which can exacerbate tumor growth and impair immune responses.

Professor Li's research emphasizes that probiotics, such as Lactobacillus GR-3, could offer a novel therapeutic avenue. Unlike conventional treatments that primarily focus on surgical or chemical interventions, bacterial therapy seeks to regulate the gut microbiome, thus altering the tumor microenvironment in a way that favors cancer inhibition.

Promising Results in Preclinical Trials

The research team has demonstrated that Lactobacillus GR-3 possesses strong antioxidant properties, reducing the state of peroxidation in tumor cells. In drug-induced mouse models of colorectal cancer, the probiotic significantly reduced tumor size and altered the composition of microbial metabolites in the gut. Additionally, Lactobacillus GR-3 promoted apoptosis (programmed cell death) in colon tumor cells, inhibiting their ability to proliferate.

While these results are preliminary, they highlight the potential for probiotics to serve as complementary treatments for colorectal cancer, particularly in patients who experience dysbiosis or a disrupted gut microbiome. The research team plans to conduct further studies to uncover the exact mechanisms by which Lactobacillus GR-3 exerts its effects and to evaluate its clinical efficacy.

This breakthrough opens new doors for colorectal cancer treatment, offering a probiotic-based approach that could enhance current therapeutic options.