Journal: Clinical and translational medicine
This review highlights the critical role of gut microbiota in:
- Modulating immune function
- Maintaining intestinal integrity
- Influencing the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy (RT) in cancer treatment
RT disrupts gut microbiota composition, which contributes to intestinal injury and systemic toxicity.
Microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and tryptophan derivatives offer protective effects against radiation damage by supporting immune modulation and enhancing tumor radiosensitivity.
The article discusses microbiota-targeted approaches as promising strategies to restore microbial balance, reduce RT-associated toxicity, and improve patient outcomes. These include:
- Probiotics
- Prebiotics
- Dietary interventions
- Fecal microbiota transplantation
These insights emphasize the potential for microbiota-based adjunctive therapies to personalize and optimize RT in cancer care.