Gut microbiota and prostate cancer: mechanisms, effects and future perspectives

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy amongst men, with its development influenced by various factors. Research indicates that gut microbiota plays a significant role in the pathological processes of prostate cancer. This review summarises recent advances in understanding how gut microbiota dysbiosis promotes prostate cancer progression through chronic inflammation, immune regulation and androgen metabolism. Prostate cancer patients exhibit abnormal gut microbiota composition, characterised by decreased Firmicutes and increased Proteobacteria. High-fat diets cause microbial imbalances that promote tumour progression through metabolite alterations and multiple signalling pathways. Targeted regulation of gut microbiota (such as faecal microbiota transplantation and probiotic supplementation) shows promise as a novel strategy for prostate cancer prevention and adjuvant therapy, with studies indicating that probiotic supplementation can markedly improve the efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy. Further investigation into the interaction mechanisms between gut microbiota and prostate cancer will facilitate the establishment of precise intervention protocols and personalised treatment. Large-scale cohort studies are needed in future to validate the clinical application value of gut microbiota regulation strategies in prostate cancer prevention and treatment.