Bifidobacterium longum SX-1326 ameliorates gastrointestinal toxicity after irinotecan chemotherapy via modulating the P53 signaling pathway and brain-gut axis

Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Treatment: The Role of Bifidobacterium in Modulating Gut Immunity and Mitigating Capecitabine-Induced Toxicity

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally and presents significant challenges in treatment and patient care. Capecitabine, a widely used prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), offers targeted delivery with reduced systemic toxicity compared to traditional chemotherapies. However, capacitabine is associated with adverse effects, such as hand-foot syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, and mucositis. Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics, particularly Bifidobacterium, play a pivotal role in gut microbiota modulation, promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines and short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which possess both intestinal protective and anti-cancer properties. In this review, we explored the potential of Bifidobacterium to improve chemotherapy outcomes by mitigating inflammation and enhancing mucosal immunity in CRC patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated in silico approaches, including molecular docking and protein-protein interaction analysis, for Bifidobacterium and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), a key mediator of intestinal immunity. Docking results revealed strong binding affinity, suggesting the activation of anti-inflammatory pathways. Notably, this interaction enhanced IL-10 production while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, fostering gut homeostasis and mitigating chronic inflammation, a key driver of CRC progression. Therefore, future research should focus on personalized probiotics and validating their synergy with chemotherapy and immunotherapy to improve CRC treatment outcomes.

Targeted and intelligent nano-drug delivery systems for colorectal cancer treatment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a highly heterogeneous malignancy with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, treatment efficacy is often hampered by drug resistance and systemic toxicity. In recent years, nano-drug delivery systems (NDDS) have emerged as a promising strategy to enhance therapeutic precision, reduce adverse effects, and overcome resistance in CRC treatment. This review discusses the recent advancements in NDDS for CRC treatment, focusing on the optimization of oral drug delivery systems, the development of tumor-specific targeting strategies, and the design of intelligent delivery systems responsive to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, we summarize current challenges in NDDS translation and explore future research directions for enhancing their clinical feasibility and therapeutic impact.

Nervous system in colorectal cancer

A malignant tumor is a complex systemic disease involving the nervous system, which regulates nerve signals. Cancer neuroscience is a field that explores the interactions between tumors and the nervous system. The gastrointestinal tract is a typical peripheral organ with abundant neuroregulation and is regulated by the peripheral, enteric, and central nervous systems (PNS, ENS, and CNS, respectively). The physiological functions of the gastrointestinal tract are maintained via complex neuromodulation. Neuroregulatory imbalance is the primary cause of gastrointestinal diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In CRC, there is a direct interaction between the nervous system and tumor cells. Moreover, this tumor-nerve interaction can indirectly regulate the tumor microenvironment, including the microbiota, immunity, and metabolism. In addition to the lower nerve centers, the stress response, emotion, and cognition represented by the higher nerve centers also participate in the occurrence and progression of CRC. Herein, we review some basic knowledge regarding cancer neuroscience and elucidate the mechanism underlying tumor-nerve interactions in CRC.

Crosstalk between gut microbiota and cancer chemotherapy: current status and trends

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy is crucial in the management of tumors, but challenges such as chemoresistance and adverse reactions frequently lead to therapeutic delays or even premature cessation. A growing body of research underscores a profound connection between the gut microbiota (GM) and cancer chemotherapy (CC). This paper aims to pinpoint highly influential publications and monitor the current landscape and evolving trends within the realm of GM/CC research.

METHODS

On October 1st, 2024, a comprehensive search for GM/CC publications spanning the past 20 years from 2004 to 2023 was conducted utilizing the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The scope encompassed both articles and reviews, and the data was subsequently extracted. To gain insights into the evolution and dynamics of this research field, we employed bibliometric analysis tools such as the Bibliometrix R package, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel to visualize and analyze various dimensions, including prominent journals, leading authors, esteemed institutions, contributing countries/regions, highly cited papers, and frequently occurring keywords.

RESULTS

A total of 888 papers were obtained. The number of publications about GM/CC studies has increased gradually. China and the United States published the largest number of papers. The INSERM was in the leading position in publishers. The most productive authors were Zitvogel L from France. Cancers had the largest number of papers. Citation analysis explained the historical evolution and breakthroughs in GM/CC research. Highly cited papers and common keywords illustrated the status and trends of GM/CC research. Four clusters were identified, and the hot topics included the role of the GM in the efficacy and toxicity of CC, the targeting of the GM to improve the outcome of CC, the mechanism by which the GM affects CC, and the correlation of the GM with carcinogenesis and cancer therapy. Metabolism, GM-derived metabolites, tumor microenvironment, immunity, intestinal barrier, tumor microbiota and Fusobacterium nucleatum may become the new hotspots and trends of GM/CC research.

CONCLUSION

This study analyzed global publications and bibliometric characteristics of the links between GM and CC, identified highly cited papers in GM/CC, provided insight into the status, hotspots, and trends of global GM/CC research, and showed that the GM can be used to predict the efficacy and toxicity of CC and modifying the GM can improve the outcomes of chemotherapeutics, which may inform clinical researchers of future directions.

Bifidobacterium longum Metabolite Indole-3-Carboxaldehyde Blocks HDAC3 and Inhibits Macrophage NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Indole-3-carboxaldehyde (3-IAld), a tryptophan metabolite derived from gut microbiota, has been reported to protect the intestine against radiation injury. This study aimed to clarify the role of Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) and its metabolite indole-3-carboxaldehyde (3-IAld) in the pathophysiology of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R) injury. Superior mesenteric artery occlusion and reperfusion were performed to establish II/R mice, and pathological injury in II/R mice was evaluated. II/R mice showed impaired gut microbiota diversity and reduced abundance of B. longum in the intestines. Transplantation of B. longum mitigated II/R injury by protecting the integrity of the intestinal barrier and reducing inflammatory response. The 3-IAld level increased after transplantation of B. longum, and 3-IAld treatment inhibited the inflammatory response of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) was a target of 3-IAld, and HDAC3 was translocated to mitochondria to promote mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) during macrophage inflammasome formation. HDAC3 overexpression promoted the formation of macrophage inflammasomes in intestinal tissues. Overall, this study confirmed the beneficial effects of B. longum in combating II/R injury through HDAC3-mediated control of mitochondrial FAO and macrophage inflammasome formation via 3-IAld.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NCU-04 relieves constipation and the depressive-like behaviors induced by loperamide in mice through the microbiome-gut-brain axis

Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal condition that significantly affects patients' physical and mental well-being, yet current treatments often lack safety and efficacy. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MBGA) in managing constipation, paving the way for probiotics as an adjuvant treatment to improve constipation symptoms. In this study, we isolated a gut probiotic strain, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NCU-04, and investigated its improvement effects on loperamide-induced constipation in mice. We demonstrated that L. paracasei NCU-04 exhibited excellent probiotic properties, including robust growth, strong antibacterial and antioxidant capacities, and a lack of hemolytic activity in vitro. The administration of L. paracasei NCU-04 effectively improved the defecation-related indicators such as the fecal water content, time to the first black stool defecation, and intestine transit rate, suggesting enhanced gut immobility in constipated mice. Additionally, L. paracasei NCU-04 significantly reduced colon inflammation induced by loperamide. Further, L. paracasei NCU-04 increased levels of colonic motilin, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and c-kit, while decreased that of aquaporin 3, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and peptide YY. Notably, L. paracasei NCU-04 effectively upregulated the expression of 5-HT and its receptor (i.e., 5-HT4R) in the brains of constipated mice. High-throughput sequencing revealed that L. paracasei NCU-04 restored the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota disturbed by loperamide, and significantly increased the relative abundance of Prevotella and Lactobacillus genera in the stool, while decreased that of Odoribacter, Rikenella, and Parabacteroides. Importantly, L. paracasei NCU-04 also effectively improved the depression-like behaviors associated with constipation, possibly through 5-HT mediated MGBA. These results suggest that L. paracasei NCU-04 may offer a promising approach for treating constipation and its related depressive symptoms, supporting its potential as a functional food or adjuvant therapy for human health.

Gut Microbiota-Adversary or Ally? Its Role and Significance in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis, Progression, and Treatment

In 2022, colorectal cancer (CRC) was the third most prevalent malignancy worldwide. The therapeutic approach for CRC typically involves a multimodal regimen. The human gut microbiota comprises over 35,000 bacterial species. The composition of the gut microbiota is influenced by dietary intake, which plays a crucial role in food absorption, nutrient extraction, and the development of low-grade inflammation. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota is a key driver of inflammation and is strongly associated with CRC development. While the gut microbiome influences CRC initiation and progression, emerging evidence suggests a role for the gut microbiome in modulating the efficacy and toxicity of cancer treatments. Therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiome, such as probiotics, hold promise as effective interventions in the modern therapeutical approach to CRC. For example, Microbiota Implementation to Reduce Anastomotic Colorectal Leaks (MIRACLe) implementation has resulted in improvements in clinical outcomes, including reduced incidence of anastomotic leakage (AL), surgical site infections (SSIs), reoperation, as well as shorter recovery times and hospital stays compared with the control group. Therefore, this review aims to describe the current state of knowledge regarding the involvement of the gut microbiota in CRC pathogenesis and its potential therapeutic implications to treat CRC.

Unveiling intratumoral microbiota: An emerging force for colorectal cancer diagnosis and therapy

Microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other eukaryotic organisms, are commonly present in multiple organs of the human body and contribute significantly to both physiological and pathological processes. Nowadays, the development of sequencing technology has revealed the presence and composition of the intratumoral microbiota, which includes Fusobacterium, Bifidobacteria, and Bacteroides, and has shed light on the significant involvement in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we summarized the current understanding of the intratumoral microbiota in CRC and outline the potential translational and clinical applications in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CRC. We focused on reviewing the development of microbial therapies targeting the intratumoral microbiota to improve the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for CRC and to identify biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. Finally, we emphasized the obstacles and potential solutions to translating the knowledge of the intratumoral microbiota into clinical practice.