Orally Administrated Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 Inhibits Growth of Tumors Transplanted into Mice

Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356 (TMC0356), a probiotic strain originally isolated from the human intestine, was tested for its anti-tumor activities in vivo in murine tumor models. Oral administration of TMC0356 characteristically inhibited the growth of sarcoma S-180 (S-180) and hepatoma H22 (H22) cells, which had been implanted in mice. Serum gamma interferon was significantly enhanced during TMC0356 administration of 1,000 mg/kg in S-180-bearing mice (p<0.01). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-18 were also altered, though these changes were not statistically significant. These results indicate that the anti-tumor effects of TMC0356 might, at least in part, arise from the impact of this bacterium on cell-mediated immunity in host animals.