# Probiotics: Potential Benefits and Safety in Hematological Malignancies

## TL;DR

Probiotics may help reduce cancer treatment side effects and improve patient well-being, but more research is needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness in cancer patients.

## Contribution

This paper explores the potential benefits and safety of probiotics in treating hematological malignancies.

## Key findings

- Probiotics can mitigate gastrointestinal side effects of cancer treatments by restoring gut microbiota balance.
- Probiotics may reduce inflammation and enhance immune response in cancer patients.
- The safety and efficacy of probiotics in immunocompromised cancer patients remain uncertain.

## Abstract

Cancer remains one of the most significant global health challenges, with
increasing incidence and mortality rates and a substantial socioeconomic burden.
Traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation
therapies, while effective, have significant adverse effects on the body,
prompting the search for less invasive treatment options. In recent years,
probiotics have emerged as a promising alternative in the prevention and
treatment of cancer and its associated complications, especially in
gastrointestinal malignancies. Probiotics have been found to have several
beneficial effects on the body, including the ability to mitigate the
gastrointestinal side effects of cancer treatments by restoring gut microbiota
balance and improving intestinal barrier function. By reducing inflammation and
enhancing the immune response, probiotics can also help alleviate other
cancer-related symptoms and improve the overall well-being of cancer patients.
Despite their potential benefits, the efficacy and safety of probiotics in
immunocompromised patients remain uncertain, and caution must be exercised
during their administration. Further research is needed to determine the optimal
clinical use, safety, and efficacy of probiotics in cancer treatment.