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REVIEW article

Front. Oncol.
Sec. Cancer Metabolism
Volume 15 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1514872

Carcinogenic and anticancer activities of microbiota-derived secondary bile acids

Provisionally accepted
Mobina Kouhzad Mobina Kouhzad 1Friedrich Götz Friedrich Götz 2Roghayeh Mohammadzadeh Roghayeh Mohammadzadeh 3Elahe Taki Elahe Taki 4Mahsa Ghamari Mahsa Ghamari 5Tahereh Navidifar Tahereh Navidifar 6Shahla Shahbazi Shahla Shahbazi 4*Narjess Bostanghadiri Narjess Bostanghadiri 7*
  • 1 Department of Genetics, Islamic Azad University North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Alborz, Iran
  • 2 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
  • 3 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan, Iran
  • 4 Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Kerman, Iran
  • 5 School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Alborz, Iran
  • 6 Shushtar School of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Khuzestan, Iran
  • 7 Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Secondary bile acids (SBAs), which are metabolites produced by gut microbiota, have been implicated in both carcinogenic and anticancer processes. This review explores the dual role of SBAs, focusing on their molecular mechanisms and biological effects. The carcinogenic activities of SBAs include DNA damage, promotion of oxidative stress, and modulation of signaling pathways that drive tumorigenesis. Conversely, some SBAs exhibit anticancer properties by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, and modulating immune responses. The article also discusses the complex interplay between SBAs and the host's genetic and environmental factors, highlighting potential therapeutic implications and the need for targeted strategies to mitigate risks while harnessing beneficial effects. A comprehensive understanding of the delicate equilibrium between the deleterious and salutary impacts of SBAs has the potential to facilitate the development of innovative cancer prevention and treatment methodologies.

    Keywords: Secondary bile acids, carcinogenic, anticancer, microbiota, Bile acids

    Received: 22 Oct 2024; Accepted: 07 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Kouhzad, Götz, Mohammadzadeh, Taki, Ghamari, Navidifar, Shahbazi and Bostanghadiri. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Shahla Shahbazi, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, 56131-56491, Kerman, Iran
    Narjess Bostanghadiri, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.