Table 1.
Clinical trials using probiotics to improve the side effects of anticancer therapy.
| Malignancy | Case number | Treatment strategy | Objective | Intervention | Outcome | Side-effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical cancer | 54 | Radiotherapy | Improve diarrhea | From day 1 to the end of radiotherapy, receive 3 capsules per day, each containing 1.75 billion live bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. BB-12) | The incidence of diarrhea in the probiotic group was lower than placebo group (53.8 and 82.1%, p <0.05), and the use rate of the anti-diarrhea drug loperamide was significantly reduced (p <0.01) | No probiotics-related toxicity reported | (46) |
| Colorectal cancer | 150 | Postoperative chemotherapy | Improve diarrhea | 1-2×1010Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplements daily | Patients receiving probiotics had mild diarrhea, and the incidence of grade 3 or 4 diarrhea (experimental group vs control group: 22% vs 37%, P = 0.027) | No probiotics-related toxicity reported | (45) |
| Lungcancer | 41 | Chemotherapy | Improve diarrhea | Starting one day before chemotherapy, take C. butyrate 3 times a day (420 mg/tablet) for 3 weeks | The incidence of grade I diarrhea was lower in the probiotic group (20% and 42.86%) | No probiotics-related toxicity reported | (59) |
| Gastric cancer | 120 | Surgery | Improve diarrhea | Nutrient formula food rich in fiber and probiotics, providing enteral nutrition for 7 consecutive days after surgery | Diarrhea cases decreased in combination of fiber and probiotics group | No probiotics-related toxicity reported | (49) |
| Head and neck cancer | 200 | Radiotherapy and chemotherapy | Improve oral mucositis | From the first day of treatment to 1 week after the last treatment, Lactobacillus brevis CD2 tablets (not less than 2 × 109), 6 times a day | The incidence of grade III and IV mucositis in the probiotics was lower than placebo group (52% and 77%, P <0.001), the completion rate of anticancer treatment in probiotic group was significantly improved (92% and 70%, P = 0.001) | No probiotics-related toxicity reported | (60) |
| Colorectal cancer | 52 | Surgery | Improve inflammation | Starting 4 weeks after surgery, oral administration of 30 billion probiotic mixed preparations twice a day for 6 months | Inflammatory cytokines in probiotics group were significantly reduced, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-17C, and IL-22 (P<0.05) | No probiotics-related toxicity reported | (61) |