"Conversation between host and gut microbiota unveils a “silver bullet” therapeutic option for chemotherapy" - new commentary on this important research from Cell Host & Microbe https://lnkd.in/ezVADadc
A link between gut bacteria and intestinal cells could, in future, aid recovery after #chemotherapy, according to new study by the CIR Anderson Group. Chemotherapy, while effective at killing cancer cells, often causes severe side effects in the digestive system, such as nausea, diarrhoea, and painful inflammation, affecting up to 80% of patients. These side effects are often accompanied by an imbalance in the gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis. Up until now, it was unclear whether this bacterial imbalance is just a side effect or a direct cause of intestinal damage and researchers have now confirmed there is a link. Dr C.J. Anderson said: “What’s really frustrating to me is the idea that there are effective chemotherapies that can kill a patient’s tumour but can’t be used because of how bad the side effects are. We have to try and understand how that happens so that those patients don’t have to choose between cancer or quality of life.” The research, which is a collaboration between IRR, VIB, Luxembourg Institute of Health, and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, offers new hope for reducing the harsh gastrointestinal side effects of #cancertreatments which could help patients to recover more quickly. Read the full story 👇 https://lnkd.in/ezz6j3zX