ORCID

0000-0003-4414-7664

Department

Biological Sciences

Year of Study

2

Full-time or Part-time Study

Full-time

Level

Postgraduate

Presentation Type

Poster

Supervisor

Dr. Caitriona Guinane

Supervisor

Dr. Craig Murphy

Supervisor

Dr. Karen Finn

Abstract

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a prevalent cancer accounting for over 450,000 deaths globally in 2020, and is associated with limited treatment options and high mortality rates. Mounting evidence implicates the human microbiome in tumorigenesis and cancer progression with key players including Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer and Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer and PC. Current research, however, also suggests a potential role for certain microbial residents in oncological treatment and biotherapeutic development. Recent studies have shown a link between cell-free supernatants (CFS) from probiotic strains and cancer cell death, suggesting their potential in targeting the tumour microenvironment. Probiotic genera including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been highlighted in this regard.

Aims

Few studies have evaluated the effect of probiotic CFS on PC cell lines. The initial aim of this research is to investigate the potential cytotoxicity of various Lactobacillus strains on primary and metastatic PC cell lines.

Future Research plans

Preliminary work has indicated a significant reduction in cancer cell viability when Panc-1 cells were exposed to CFS from selected Lactobacillus strains analysed using MTS assays. Ongoing studies will examine the impact of liquid and freeze-dried CFS produced by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterial strains on PC in vitro.

Proposed Significance to the Field of Research

Given PC’s limited treatment options and low survival rates, the identification and development of a microbial-based therapeutic candidate would be beneficial in developing novel treatment options for this cancer.

Keywords:

Human microbiome, Pancreatic cancer, Microbial therapies, Probiotics

Start Date

June 2022

End Date

June 2022

Included in

Microbiology Commons

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Jun 14th, 10:45 AM Jun 14th, 2:00 PM

'Investigating the effect of cell-free supernatant of probiotic strains on the viability of pancreatic cancer cell lines'

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a prevalent cancer accounting for over 450,000 deaths globally in 2020, and is associated with limited treatment options and high mortality rates. Mounting evidence implicates the human microbiome in tumorigenesis and cancer progression with key players including Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer and Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer and PC. Current research, however, also suggests a potential role for certain microbial residents in oncological treatment and biotherapeutic development. Recent studies have shown a link between cell-free supernatants (CFS) from probiotic strains and cancer cell death, suggesting their potential in targeting the tumour microenvironment. Probiotic genera including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been highlighted in this regard.

Aims

Few studies have evaluated the effect of probiotic CFS on PC cell lines. The initial aim of this research is to investigate the potential cytotoxicity of various Lactobacillus strains on primary and metastatic PC cell lines.

Future Research plans

Preliminary work has indicated a significant reduction in cancer cell viability when Panc-1 cells were exposed to CFS from selected Lactobacillus strains analysed using MTS assays. Ongoing studies will examine the impact of liquid and freeze-dried CFS produced by Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterial strains on PC in vitro.

Proposed Significance to the Field of Research

Given PC’s limited treatment options and low survival rates, the identification and development of a microbial-based therapeutic candidate would be beneficial in developing novel treatment options for this cancer.