Abstract

Despite ongoing breakthroughs in novel anticancer therapies, chemotherapy remains a mainstream therapeutic modality in different types of cancer. Unfortunately, chemotherapy-related toxicity (CRT) often leads to dose limitation, and even results in treatment termination. Over the past few years, accumulating evidence has indicated that the gut microbiota is extensively engaged in various toxicities initiated by chemotherapeutic drugs, either directly or indirectly. The gut microbiota can now be targeted to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy. In the current review, we summarized the clinical relationship between the gut microbiota and CRT, as well as the critical role of the gut microbiota in the occurrence and development of CRT. We then summarized the key mechanisms by which the gut microbiota modulates CRT. Furthermore, currently available strategies to mitigate CRT by targeting the gut microbiota were summarized and discussed. This review offers a novel perspective for the mitigation of diverse chemotherapy-associated toxic reactions in cancer patients and the future development of innovative drugs or functional supplements to alleviate CRT via targeting the gut microbiota.

摘要

尽管新型抗癌疗法不断取得突破，但化疗仍然是不同类型癌症的主流治疗方式。不幸的是，化疗相关毒性（CRT）常常导致剂量限制，甚至导致治疗终止。在过去的几年中，越来越多的证据表明，肠道微生物群直接或间接地广泛参与了化疗药物引发的各种毒性。现在可以针对肠道微生物群来降低化疗的毒性。在本篇综述中，我们总结了肠道菌群与CRT之间的临床关系，以及肠道菌群在CRT发生和发展中的关键作用。然后我们总结了肠道微生物群调节 CRT 的关键机制。此外，总结并讨论了目前通过针对肠道微生物群来减轻 CRT 的可用策略。该综述为缓解癌症患者多种化疗相关毒性反应以及未来开发缓解 CRT 的创新药物或功能补充剂提供了新的视角通过针对肠道微生物群。