Il intestinal microbiota and the diet they could protect us from the risk of cancer.
I study
In a study of 61 patients with breast cancerit is read on Proceedings of the National Academy of Scienceresearchers found that women with a BMI (body mass index) greater than 24considered the threshold of obesity, had higher levels of bacteria of the genus Desulfovibrio than those with a BMI less than 24.
Similarly, in the mice fed a high-fat dietscholars have observed ahigh presence of Desulfovibrio and immune suppressive cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)which originate in the bone marrow. This has been associated with increased circulating levels of leucine, a branched chain amino acid produced by some intestinal bacteria. When the mice were given antibiotics to eliminate the Desulfovibrio bacteria, leucine and MDSC levels returned to normal.
By reviewing blood samples from women with breast cancer, the researchers saw that those with a BMI higher than 24 had higher levels of leucine and a greater number of MDSC, surviving fewer years after treatment compared to those with a BMI less than 24.
The potential of the microbiota in treatments
«It is the first study that highlights a correlation between a bacterium, an active component (leucine) and the tumor progression in relation to obesity and it is not known whether it is linked more to the prognosis or also to the response to therapy because people with a higher BMI respond less to treatment”, comments Mary Rescignoprofessor of General Pathology and vice-rector for research at Humanitas University.
The influence of the microbiota on cancer development, disease progression and response to therapies is currently an area of research that could lead to new avenues. «The microbiota is a new “tool” that we have to improve responses to treatments», continues the expert. «In a work published recently in Cell, researchers have analysed, in 245 patients with lung cancer, the imprint of a group of microorganisms associated with better or worse response to immunotherapy. They identified a set of 89 then narrowed down to 21 species that seems to help understand whether or not a patient will respond to immunotherapy and whether to modulate the microbiota before even proposing the treatment. In fact, in the case of “presumed” non-response, the patient could be a candidate for an approach to modulate the microbiota, through an intestinal microbiota transplant or an approach with probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics, in order to allow him to respond to therapies more effectively. effective”.
What to do every day
From this research we understand, once again, the importance of it lifestyle to live longer and healthier. «We know that obesity is associated with a greater risk of developing tumors and a lower probability of responding to therapies. Diet and exercise play a fundamental role in protecting us from the risk of being overweight and obese”, concludes Rescigno. “In particular, it is important that the diet is rich in fibretherefore vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, because to date we know that it is the only one capable of increase microorganisms who protect us. Finally, reduce the consumption of animal fats, simple sugars and foods enriched with added and highly processed sugars.”
