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A groundbreaking study presented at the United European Gastroenterology Week 2024 in Vienna, Austria, has revealed the crucial link between chronic stress and the worsening of colorectal cancer (CRC). Conducted by researchers from West China Hospital at Sichuan University, China, the study highlights how prolonged stress disrupts gut microbiota, accelerating the progression of colorectal cancer.
The study, led by Dr. Qing Li, discovered that stress-induced imbalances in gut bacteria, specifically the depletion of beneficial strains like Lactobacillus, weaken the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. The research opens doors for new therapeutic approaches targeting gut bacteria to slow cancer progression, especially in individuals under chronic stress.
Chronic Stress, Gut Microbiota, and Cancer: The Connection
Chronic stress is known to contribute to various health conditions, but this research provides concrete evidence on how it specifically influences colorectal cancer. The research team used an antibiotic cocktail consisting of vancomycin, ampicillin, neomycin, and metronidazole to eliminate gut bacteria in mice. They then transplanted fecal microbiota to assess how changes in the gut microbiome affected cancer progression under chronic stress.
Their results showed that chronic stress not only increased tumor growth but also significantly reduced the population of Lactobacillus, a genus of bacteria essential for a robust immune response against tumors.
“Stress-related CRC progression can be attributed to a reduction in beneficial gut bacteria, as this weakens the body’s immune response against cancer,” Dr. Li explained. Lactobacillus, particularly sensitive to the antibiotics vancomycin and ampicillin, was notably depleted in both the control and stressed groups.
Lactobacillus and Anti-Tumor Immunity
To further understand how Lactobacillus influences the body’s cancer defense mechanisms, the researchers supplemented mice with Lactobacillus during periods of chronic stress. This supplementation resulted in a reduction in tumor formation, suggesting that this bacteria plays a key role in protecting against cancer progression.
The researchers focused on Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) and its role in regulating bile acid metabolism and enhancing CD8+ T cells—immune cells critical in fighting cancer. “We found that L. plantarum specifically regulated bile acid metabolism and boosted CD8+ T cell function, indicating its potential to strengthen anti-tumor immunity,” said Dr. Li.
Potential for Lactobacillus-Based Therapies
The findings pave the way for Lactobacillus-based therapies to restore beneficial gut bacteria and fortify the body’s immune system in fighting colorectal cancer, especially in patients affected by chronic stress. “Restoring beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Lactobacillus, could strengthen the body’s natural defenses against colorectal cancer,” Dr. Li concluded.
This research highlights a promising new avenue for improving colorectal cancer treatment by focusing on gut health and stress management, offering hope for patients battling both cancer and chronic stress.
