Wang, Y.H., Yao, N., Wei, K.K., Jiang, L., Hanif, S., Wang, Z.X., & Pei, C.X. (2016). The efficacy and safety of probiotics for prevention of chemoradiotherapy-induced diarrhea in people with abdominal and pelvic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70, 1246–1253.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of probiotics for the prevention of diarrhea in patients receiving chemoradiotherapy for cancer
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Probiotics may have a role in the prevention or management of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced diarrhea. The risk of probiotic-associated infections is unclear.
Probiotics may have a role in the prevention and management of chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced diarrhea; however, studies have used different probiotic combinations, and the best combination is unclear. Infection-related risks are unclear, but some associated infections have been reported. Caution should be used in patients who are severely immunocompromised.