Abstract
Probiotics are defined as “viable microorganisms which, when administered
in adequate amounts, promote health benefits on the host”. These health benefits may
include maintaining a healthy gut microbiota, reducing cholesterol levels, formation of
antimicrobial agents and vitamins, competitive inhibition of pathogenic bacteria in
terms of attachment site and nutrition, immunity-boosting, improvement of calcium
absorption, preventing constipation, and increased trans-epithelial resistance. Cancer is
expressed as the abnormal division and reproduction of cells and has a multifactorial
pathology. In mortality, cancer is in second place worldwide, which is evident from the
report that one out of every four deaths in the USA is due to cancer. Furthermore, the
prevalence of cancer is 24% and 21% for men and women, respectively. Probiotics
used in the prevention and treatment of cancer often prevent early death due to
complications caused by infection, particularly in GIT. The current article mainly
discusses different conventional and non-conventional formulations of probiotics. It
also discusses probiotics and immunity against cancer, safety, and current regulation
regarding probiotics.