Cancer Risk in Alterations of Prebiotics

Prebiotics are indigestible food constituents that selectively induce the growth and activity of beneficiary gut microbiota and have evolved as potent adjuncts in the prevention and therapy of cancer. This chapter gives an in-depth exploration of how cancer is influenced by prebiotics through various biological mechanisms. It signifies the key role of the gut microbiome in immune system modulation, inflammation reduction, and metabolic processes alteration, which are crucial in cancer progression and development. Specific prebiotic substances, such as fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and inulin, have been studied for their effects on various cancers. These were evident from preclinical and clinical studies. This chapter also delves into the pathways associated with prebiotics and its efficiency in enhancing the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment thereby potentially reducing the associated side effects. We included the overview of current scientific evidence, enduring the oncological therapeutic potential of prebiotics. However, this chapter addresses challenges and limitations in this field, including the need for rigorous clinical trials and the complexity of host biological interactions with gut microbiome. Moreover, we explore personalized prebiotic therapy concepts, like screening profiles of individual microbiomes and genetic information, to optimize the outcome of treatment. The integration of prebiotics in standard cancer care protocols, along with identifying needed biomarkers, can predict and monitor the response to prebiotic interventions. By provoking the existing gaps in this research, this chapter aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of prebiotics in cancer care along with secondary intervention in various diseases and to pave the way for future studies that can translate these findings into clinical applications.