Xi Huang Pill Exerts Anti-breast Cancer Effects by Regulating the Intestinal Flora and Glycerophospholipid Metabolism to Promote Autophagy Homeostasis

Extensive research shows gut microbiota significantly influence breast cancer. A 2021 Johns Hopkins study linked enterotoxigenic *Bacteroides fragilis* (ETBF) to breast cancer, demonstrating its colonization induces mammary epithelial proliferation and promotes tumor growth. As a metabolic disorder, cancer-related pathways like glycerophospholipid metabolism (phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine) offer therapeutic targets. Tumor-associated metabolites (lithocholic acid, cadaverine, SCFAs) disrupt mammary cell function. Autophagy regulates lipid metabolism: chronic lipid accumulation suppresses autophagy, while controlled autophagy inhibits cancer progression. Although autophagy-targeting therapies are in clinical trials, deeper exploration of metabolic-autophagy crosstalk is crucial for optimizing treatment efficacy.