“It’s so exciting to see VeloSano grow year over year. VeloSano funding impacts so many researchers trying to get important work done. We are very grateful.”
Probiotic supplements are known to support digestive health and boost the immune system. But can they also benefit breast cancer patients? Probiotics are beneficial microbes that help maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut, for example. These microbes can be found throughout nearly every part of your body, including cancer tissue.
“Over half of breast cancer cases are unrelated to known genetic and environmental risk factors, so it is important to discover other factors contributing to breast cancer risk,” says Zahraa AlHilli, MD, MBA, a Breast Surgeon and Co-Director of the Comprehensive Breast Program at Cleveland Clinic. “Through our collaboration with Dr. Eng’s lab, we previously reported that the microbiome in breast tissue and stool is different in women who have cancer compared with those who do not.”
Dr. AlHilli was awarded a VeloSano grant to launch a new study investigating the effectiveness of probiotics in breast cancer patients. This trial aims to study 70 patients recently diagnosed with cancer who will be randomized to receive either a probiotic or placebo. What she and her colleagues hope to learn is whether adjusting the microbiome in someone who has cancer can influence tumor behavior.
“If probiotics show a change in the microbiome, then it gives us an opportunity to further study probiotics in two settings: first, as a preventative measure for women who are at high risk; and second, in patients undergoing treatment with chemotherapy and other targets before surgery in the hope that probiotics can improve treatment response,” says Dr. AlHilli.
Breast cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent cancers among women. It is significant. Studies show that about one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and one in three women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will eventually develop metastatic breast cancer, cancer that spreads to other parts of the body.
“Everybody knows somebody—a friend or relative or someone—who has been impacted by cancer,” says Dr. AlHilli. “Identifying targets that we can use to prevent it before it develops or things we can do to make our treatments better is very important.”
Dr. AlHilli advocates for her patients inside the hospital and out on the road at Bike to Cure. Being an active participant for years, she knows how this annual bike ride not only raises crucial funds for cancer studies but also brings together a community of survivors, supporters and researchers.
“As a surgeon, it is incredible to participate and ride alongside patients, colleagues and other researchers and scientists,” says Dr. AlHilli. “The atmosphere and energy are amazing; everyone is united by hope, purpose and a shared goal of supporting research for a cure.”
Charis Eng, MD, PhD, a pioneer in genetic and genomic medicine, passed in 2024.
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