Cited by 25Cancer Research and TreatmentsProbiotics and Fermented FoodsGut microbiota and health

Do Bacteria Provide an Alternative to Cancer Treatment and What Role Does Lactic Acid Bacteria Play?

Open access
Dicks, Leon M. T., Vermeulen, Wian·2022·Microorganisms

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to 2022 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 10 million deaths have been reported in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cancer cases world-wide could increase to 21.6 million by 2030. Breast, lung, thyroid, pancreatic, liver, prostate, bladder, kidney, pelvis, colon, and rectum cancers are the most prevalent. Each year, approximately 400,000 children develop cancer. Treatment between countries vary, but usually includes either surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Modern treatments such as hormone-, immuno- and antibody-based therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Several recent reports have been published on toxins, antibiotics, bacteriocins, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, phenylflavonoids, purine nucleosides, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and enzymes with anticancer properties. Most of these molecules target cancer cells in a selective manner, either directly or indirectly through specific pathways. This review discusses the role of bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria, and their metabolites in the treatment of cancer.

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Crossref · 10.3390/microorganisms10091733

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  • Type III polyketide synthases are involved in the biosynthesis of polyketides, which are secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer properties.

    “Type III polyketide synthases (T3PKS) are involved in the biosynthesis of polyketides, which are secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer properties [82].”

    From Bile Salt Hydrolase Activity in the Food-Derived Strain Levilactobacillus brevis M3R3: Genomic and Functional Characterization (2026) · cites this paper as [82]

    Section 6 (page unavailable) says polyketides are produced by type I polyketide synthases and have structural and biological diversity; it does not discuss type III synthases. Section 4.4 (page unavailable) identifies an anticancer-relevant polyketide, but the copy does not establish the claimed antimicrobial and antifungal properties of polyketides. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Authors
Dicks, L. M. T., & Vermeulen, W.
Affiliations
Stellenbosch University (ZA)
Corresponding author
Dicks, Leon M. T.
Venue
Microorganisms
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-08-27
Volume
10
Issue
9
Pages
1733
ISSN
2076-2607 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4293760991
Cited by
25
References
394
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8
FWCI
0.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Microorganisms (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Cancer Research and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
Keywords
cancer therapy, lactic acid bacteria, bacterial metabolites, anticancer agents, bacteriocins, short-chain fatty acids, nonribosomal peptides, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, purine nucleosides, selective toxicity, probiotics

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