23-Sep-2026
Fecal microbiota transplantation as a therapeutic adjuvant in gastrointestinal cancers: potential mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and a functional donor screening strategy
Xia & He Publishing Inc.
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for approximately one‑third of cancer‑related deaths worldwide, and outcomes remain poor despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Gut microbiota and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic adjuvants. FMT may enhance antitumor efficacy and reduce treatment‑related toxicity by improving antigen presentation, reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME), and preserving intestinal barrier function. Early clinical evidence suggests that FMT combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chemotherapy, or radiotherapy may improve response rates and alleviate toxicity in selected patients. However, donor microbiota heterogeneity, unpredictable engraftment, and lack of validated predictive models hinder clinical translation. This review proposes a functional donor screening framework—the Healthy Donor‑derived Microbiota Xenograft (HDMX) model and its clinical application, XenoFMT—to advance FMT toward precision intervention.Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for approximately one‑third of cancer‑related deaths worldwide, and outcomes remain poor despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Gut microbiota and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic adjuvants. FMT may enhance antitumor efficacy and reduce treatment‑related toxicity by improving antigen presentation, reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME), and preserving intestinal barrier function. Early clinical evidence suggests that FMT combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chemotherapy, or radiotherapy may improve response rates and alleviate toxicity in selected patients. However, donor microbiota heterogeneity, unpredictable engraftment, and lack of validated predictive models hinder clinical translation. This review proposes a functional donor screening framework—the Healthy Donor‑derived Microbiota Xenograft (HDMX) model and its clinical application, XenoFMT—to advance FMT toward precision intervention.
- Journal
- Cancer Screening and Prevention