The role of short-chain fatty acids in cancer prevention and cancer treatment. Arch Biochem Biophys 2024 Nov;761:110172
Date
10/07/2024Pubmed ID
39369836DOI
10.1016/j.abb.2024.110172Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85205522642 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are microbial metabolites in the gut that may play a role in cancer prevention and treatment. They affect the metabolism of both normal and cancer cells, regulating various cellular energetic processes. SCFAs also inhibit histone deacetylases, which are targets for cancer therapy. The three main SCFAs are acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are transported into cells through specific transporters. SCFAs may enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents and modulate immune cell metabolism, potentially reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. Although SCFAs and SCFA-generating microbes enhance therapeutic efficacy of several forms of cancer therapy, published data also support the opposing viewpoint that SCFAs mitigate the efficacy of some cancer therapies. Therefore, the relationship between SCFAs and cancer is more complex, and this review discusses some of these aspects. Clearly, further research is needed to understand the role of SCFAs, their mechanisms, and applications in cancer prevention and treatment.
Author List
Kalyanaraman B, Cheng G, Hardy MAuthors
Gang Cheng PhD Assistant Professor in the Biophysics department at Medical College of WisconsinBalaraman Kalyanaraman PhD Professor in the Biophysics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsAntineoplastic Agents
Fatty Acids, Volatile
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Humans
Neoplasms
Tumor Microenvironment
