Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Lactobacillus plantarum has been investigated as a probiotic to reduce certain side effects of chemotherapy, particularly gastrointestinal complications such as diarrhea and mucositis. Several preclinical and clinical studies suggest that L. plantarum may help maintain gut barrier integrity, modulate immune responses, and restore beneficial microbiota disrupted by cytotoxic cancer treatments. For example, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal and other cancers have demonstrated that supplementation with L. plantarum-containing probiotics can reduce the incidence and severity of diarrhea compared to placebo. Mechanistically, L. plantarum appears to reduce inflammation, promote the production of short-chain fatty acids, and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, all of which may contribute to its protective effects.

However, while results are promising, the body of evidence is still moderate in size and quality. Most studies use multi-strain probiotic formulations, making it difficult to attribute effects solely to L. plantarum. Larger, well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety specifically in chemotherapy patients. Current clinical guidelines do not universally recommend L. plantarum for this purpose, but they acknowledge the potential benefit of certain probiotics for managing chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal side effects.

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