Probiotics-based Anticancer Immunity In Cervical Cancer

In the recent past, many investigations have been directed toward finding the possible relationship between probiotic preventive-therapeutic effects and different cancers. Among different cancers, human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cancer is the third most frequent cancer among women, resulting in being the second cause of death worldwide. Current treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have been shown to have some limitations, and the available effective cervical vaccines are costly, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the researchers seek alternatives, such as natural components, as a new approach to treating and cure HPVinduced cancer. Among several natural components, probiotics have increasingly gained more attention due to the probiotic-associated immunomodulation and therapeutic efficacy shown in several studies, as well as their lower risk for human health. In this chapter, we have reviewed the association between probiotics and cervical cancer and discussed how probiotics could exert their effects to suppress or even inhibit the growth of cervical tumors, preclinically or clinically. The different aspects of probiotic application have been precisely studied to assess the potential of probiotics in improving or treating HPV-induced cancer. In addition, the effects of probiotics on immune responses have been described.

Keywords: Anti-cancer effect, Cervical cancer, Human papillomavirus, Immunomodulatory effect, Immune response, Probiotics.