The Microbiome and Radiation Induced-Bowel Injury: Evidence for Potential Mechanistic Role in Disease Pathogenesis

Nutrients

Farooq Rahman¹  Andrew M. Smith²  Tomoko Kumagai² 

[1] Department of Gastroenterology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PG, UK;UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London (UCL), Rayne Institute, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6JF, UK;

关键词: radiation-induced bowel injury;    radiation enteritis;    radiation enteropathy;    pelvic radiation disease;    radiotherapy;    cancer management complications;    microbiota;    probiotics;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu10101405

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Radiotherapy has played a major role in both the curative and palliative treatment of cancer patients for decades. However, its toxic effect to the surrounding normal healthy tissue remains a major drawback. In cases of intra-abdominal and/or pelvic malignancy, healthy bowel is inevitably included in the radiation field, causing undesirable consequences that subsequently manifest as radiation-induced bowel injury, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of radiation-induced bowel injury is poorly understood, although we now know that it derives from a complex interplay of epithelial injury and alterations in the enteric immune, nervous, and vascular systems in genetically predisposed individuals. Furthermore, evidence supporting a pivotal role for the gut microbiota in the development of radiation-induced bowel injury has been growing. In this review, we aim to appraise our current understanding of radiation-induced bowel injury and the role of the microbiome in its pathogenesis as well as prevention and treatment. Greater understanding of the relationship between the disease mechanism of radiation-induced bowel injury and gut microbiome might shed light on potential future prevention and treatment strategies through the modification of a patient’s gut microbiome.

【 授权许可】

Unknown