Apoptosis-Inducing Effects of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> DS0709 in Colorectal Cancer

In colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, various approaches, including chemotherapy (5-FU, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin), targeted therapy (VEGF inhibitor) and immunotherapy (PD-1/ PD-L1 inhibitor), are employed. However, due to side effects and limited efficacy, more effective novel therapeutic strategies have been required. In this study, we identified the anti-cancer effects of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> DS0709, isolated from infant feces, on CRC. Treatment with the supernatant (Sup) of <i>L. plantarum</i> DS0709 demonstrated growth inhibition of CRC cell lines (HCT116 and SNUC5) by inducing apoptosis. Additionally, using human iPSC-derived intestinal organoids (hIO), we confirmed that <i>L. plantarum</i> DS0709 Sup exhibited no toxicity. Furthermore, in a 3D spheroid model mimicking <i>in vivo</i> conditions, <i>L. plantarum</i> DS0709 Sup showed similar apoptosis induction and growth-inhibitory effects as in 2D cultures. Thus, these findings suggest that <i>L. plantarum</i> DS0709 has the potential to be developed into a novel microbiome-based therapeutic agent for CRC, offering anti-cancer efficacy without side effects.