THE ROLE OF POSTBIOTICS IN COLORECTAL CANCER: MECHANISMS, EVIDENCE, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health concern, with gut microbiota playing a crucial role in its development and progression. Postbiotics, bioactive compounds derived from probiotic fermentation, have emerged as promising therapeutic agents due to their stability, safety, and beneficial health effects. This review explores the mechanisms by which postbiotics influence CRC, including apoptosis induction, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, enhancement of gut barrier integrity, immune modulation, and microbiota regulation. Furthermore, postbiotics show synergistic potential with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, offering a novel approach to CRC treatment. Clinical studies suggest that postbiotics may be a safer and more effective alternative to probiotics for gut microbiome modulation and disease management. While research supports their anti-cancer properties, further large-scale studies and clinical trials are required to establish their efficacy and safety in CRC treatment.