Role of Lactobacillus and calcium in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most cancer which is prevalent globally. It is the second most leading cause of mortality worldwide. In Asia Colorectal cancer is most abundant type of cancer. Causative factors involved are genetic pattern, western lifestyle, alcohol, smoking, etc. The commonest therapy for colorectal cancer is the combination therapy of 5-fluorouracil with Leucovorin which is either co-administered with alkylating agent Oxaliplatin or with a topoisomerase inhibitor Irinotecan. There is still a need of therapeutic agent that increases the survival rate in colorectal cancer patients. Probiotics are well known to increase the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and recently they are widely researched for regression of carcinogenesis. a commonly used probiotic, is observed to increase the expression of apoptotic ligand by modulating TNF action. has also shown to represses cyclin D1 and inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling thereby, not only prevent the proliferation of cancerous cells but also ensure the apoptosis of CRC cells. Calcium is a vital element in many biological pathways including cancer signaling pathway. A wide variety of research reflects the role of calcium in suppression of cancerous cells. Recently calcium has shown its role in inhibiting Wnt/-catenin signaling canonical pathway in colorectal cancer cells. The review focuses on the role of calcium and probiotic as a natural therapeutic option in the treatment of CRC.