Table 4 Therapeutic strategies to target microbiota in pancreatic cancer

bacteriophage therapy

Can be used to target and control specific bacteria such as Klebsiella, Fusobacterium and Acinetobacter baumannii

[126, 127]

ferrichrome

Produced from Lactobacillus casei and can inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Altered the expression of p53-associated mRNAs.

[138]

caerulein

Reduced Smad3 and phosphorylated Smad3 expression in mice. Reducing the proliferation and viability of cancer cells, inhibiting PanIN progression, and metastasis. Improved patient’s tolerance of chemotherapy. Inhibitory effect on PanIN changes and serum liver enzyme elevation.

[54, 139]

butyrate

proliferation and enhancing gemcitabine effectiveness. Reduced cancer-associated stromatogenesis, preserved intestinal mucosa integrity, affected fecal microbiota composition, and ameliorated some markers of kidney and liver damage

[140]

Megasphaera

Improved anti-PD-1 treatment

[141]

Resistant starches

influence microbial community, increase short chain fatty acids synthesis, and protects against DNA damage

[54, 140]

UA in conjunction with GEM

Suppression of the RAGE/NF-κB/MDR1 cascade and restriction of the growth of subcutaneous tumors in mice

[155]

Ciprofloxacin

Removes Gammaproteobacteria which can metabolize and deactivate gemcitabine

[152]

Gemcitabine

Decreased the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes Increased Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, with a rise in bacteria associated with inflammation in mice

[157]

Vancomycin, Neomycin, Metronidazole, Ampicillin and Amphotericin B

increase in interferon gamma-producing T cells, and a decrease in interleukin 17A and interleukin 10-producing T cells

[158]