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'Stool pills' could actually help fight cancer by stimulating the immune system to destroy diseased cells.
The groundbreaking study, led by the Lawson Research Institute (UK), examined stool capsules already used for fecal transplants in the treatment of certain intestinal infections. And they seem to work against certain tumors too.
Scientists have perfected the administration of fecal transplants using capsules, which are easy for patients to take. Now, these famous pills are at the heart of innovative cancer treatment studies. The results, which have caused a stir in scientific and medical circles worldwide, confirm that the capsules have great potential for boosting the body's response to certain types of cancer.
Fecal transplants are a well-known medical practice that has proved effective in improving the intestinal microbiome: by introducing stool from healthy donors, it's indeed possible to correct certain microbiome imbalances and improve overall intestinal health. These 'stool pills' are already in use and are generally well tolerated.
Crucial research
Over the past decade, research into the microbiome has led to a true medical revolution, as scientists have discovered how an imbalance of these microorganisms interferes with many aspects of good health.
A recent study coordinated by the Sant'Anna Superior School of Pisa, for example, has shown that disorders of the intestinal microbiota can trigger certain neurodevelopment disorders such as CDKL5 deficiency (CDD), a rare and serious genetic disease that could now potentially be treated by acting on the gut rather than directly on the brain.
The human microbiome is, in fact, made up of several trillion micro-organisms living inside and outside the body, including bacteria, viruses and yeasts. But while some bacteria are associated with disease, others are vital to the human immune system, the primary tool for protection and defense against disease, as well as for many other aspects of health.
Cancer treatment
This is why researchers are also successfully testing fecal microbiota transplants against cancer, transferring healthy gut microbes from donors to patients with cancer and other diseases, so that healthy bacteria can colonize the gut and improve the microbiome.
To this end, stool is collected from carefully selected healthy donors, processed in the laboratory into capsules, and introduced into the patient's gastrointestinal tract.
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Capsules have proved crucial in several ongoing studies aimed at improving treatment of lung, kidney, breast, pancreatic and other cancers. Among these, two studies are promising: the first shows that the toxic side-effects of drugs used to treat renal cell carcinoma could be eliminated by transplantation, while the second suggests that this technique is effective in improving response to immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma.
Research will continue, as many questions remain unanswered and more evidence is needed, but the path that has just been opened up does seem to be the right one.
Both studies were published in Nature Medicine.
Sources: London Health Science Center Research Institute / St Joseph's Health Care London / Nature Medicine (renal cell carcinoma) / Nature Medicine (non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma) / / LHSCCanada/Youtube
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