Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is commonly used in patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer, but treatment may be associated with gastrointestinal toxicity, intestinal dysbiosis, disruption of epithelial barrier function, systemic inflammation, and deterioration of health-related quality of life. Modulation of the intestinal microbiota using probiotics has been proposed as a potential supportive strategy to mitigate these treatment-related alterations.
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a multistrain probiotic formulation administered during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer. The study focused on the potential effects of probiotic supplementation on treatment-related alterations in the intestinal microbiota and other biological and patient-reported parameters.
The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of multistrain probiotic supplementation on gut microbiota composition and diversity in patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Secondary objectives included evaluating the effects of probiotic supplementation on fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, systemic inflammatory cytokines, intestinal permeability, and gastrointestinal symptoms and health-related quality of life.
