Search and Selection of Probiotics That Improve Mucositis Symptoms in Oncologic Patients. A Systematic Review

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Search and Selection of Probiotics That Improve Mucositis Symptoms in Oncologic Patients. A Systematic Review

Picó-Monllor et al., 2019 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Picó-Monllor José Antonio, Mingot-Ascencao José Manuel. Search and Selection of Probiotics That Improve Mucositis Symptoms in Oncologic Patients. A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2019-Oct-01;11(10). doi:10.3390/nu11102322

Abstract

Mucositis is a common and severe adverse effect of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy treatments applied to oncologic patients. The development of effective therapies and adjuvant treatments to increase their efficacy and reduce adverse effect is a priority in cancer therapy. Probiotics are non-pathogenic live microorganisms that when ingested in adequate amounts can colonize the intestinal tract promoting the restoration of a healthy gut microbiota and contributing to all its functions including the maintenance of the integrity of the mucosa and the modulation of the immune system. In order to check the possible efficacy and safety of these microorganisms to prevent or ameliorate mucositis' symptoms, we have systematically searched the bibliographic databases MEDLINE (via Pubmed), EMBASE, The Cochrane library, Scopus, Web of science, and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health of Sciences (LILACS) using the descriptors "Mucositis", "Probiotics", "Neoplasms", "Humans", and "Clinical Trials". After applying our inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 studies were accepted for review and critical analysis. Our analysis suggests that a combination of Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Saccharomyces boulardii could be a good combination of probiotics to reduce incident rates of mucositis or ameliorate its symptoms in chemo or radiotherapy treated patients.

Key Findings

Our analysis suggests that a combination of Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Saccharomyces boulardii could be a good combination of probiotics to reduce incident rates of mucositis or ameliorate its symptoms in chemo or radiotherapy treated patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 15
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Bifidobacterium
  • Child
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucositis
  • Neoplasms
  • Probiotics
  • Radiation Injuries
  • Radiotherapy
  • Saccharomyces boulardii
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09