Apoptosis-inducing effects of Lactobacillus plantarum DS0709 in colorectal cancer

Abstract

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 Lactobacillus plantarum DS0709, isolated from infant feces, on CRC. Treatment with the supernatant (Sup) of L. plantarum 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 L. plantarum DS0709 Sup exhibited no toxicity. Furthermore, in a 3D spheroid model mimicking in vivo conditions, L. plantarum DS0709 Sup showed similar apoptosis induction and growth-inhibitory effects as in 2D cultures. Thus, these findings suggest that L. plantarum DS0709 has the potential to be developed into a novel microbiome-based therapeutic agent for CRC, offering anti-cancer efficacy without side effects.