Microbiome and Bladder Cancer: The Role of Probiotics in Treatment Publisher Pubmed



Dadgarzankbar L¹ ; Mokhtaryan M² ; Bafandeh E³ ; Javanmard Z⁴ ; Asadollahi P⁵ ; Darbandi T⁶ ; Afifirad R⁴ ; Dashtbin S¹ ; Darbandi A³ ; Ghanavati R⁷ Show Affiliations
Source: Future Microbiology Published:2025

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BCa) remains a significant global health challenge, with increasing interest in the role of the bladder microbiome in its pathogenesis, progression and treatment outcomes. The complex relationship between bladder cancer and the microbiome, as well as the potential impact of probiotics on treatment effectiveness, is currently under investigation. Research suggests that the microbiota may influence BCa recurrence prevention and enhance the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccine. Recent studies reveal differences in the bladder microbiome between individuals without bladder cancer and those with the disease. In the healthy bladder, Streptococcus and Lactobacillus are consistently identified as the most prevalent genera. However, in men, the predominant bacterial genera are Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Streptococcus, while in women with bladder cancer, Gardnerella and Lactobacillus are dominant. Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus spp., can exhibit anti-tumor properties by competing with pathogenic strains involved in carcinogenesis or by producing regulatory substances. They regulate cancer signaling, induce apoptosis, inhibit mutagenic activity, downregulate oncogene expression, induce autophagy, inhibit kinases, reactivate tumor suppressors and prevent metastasis. These mechanisms have shown promising results in both preclinical and some clinical studies. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.