A randomized controlled clinical study on the prevention of anthracycline chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity by Bifidobacterium lactis V9 in breast cancer patients

Li Shiqi; Suriguga; Zhang Jiao; Niu Luying; Cai Zhihui

doi:10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.03.010

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Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer ›› 2026, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (3) : 391-399. DOI: 10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.03.010

Original Articles

A randomized controlled clinical study on the prevention of anthracycline chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity by Bifidobacterium lactis V9 in breast cancer patients

¹Li Shiqi, ¹Suriguga, ²Zhang Jiao, ²Niu Luying, ³Cai Zhihui

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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis V9 (B. lactis V9) on preventing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients. Method From June 2023 to September 2025, breast cancer patients who underwent anthracycline-based chemotherapy after surgery at the People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were enrolled. According to the random number table method, the patients were randomly divided into an observation group (50 cases) and a control group(51 cases). The observation group received a standardized anthracycline chemotherapy regimen combined with B. lactis V9, while the control group was given the same standardized chemotherapy regimen plus a matched placebo. Both groups received four treatment cycles, with each cycle lasting 21 days. The incidence of abnormal 12-lead electrocardiograms before and after treatment was recorded in both groups. Additionally, changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) via routine echocardiography were detected and documented at three time points: before the first cycle of treatment, after the 2nd cycle, and after the 4th cycle. Result At the end of treatment, the incidence of ECG abnormalities was higher in the control group than in the observation group, and the difference was statistically significant (54.90% vs 24.00%, P < 0.05). Intra-group comparisons of NT-proBNP levels before and after treatment showed no significant changes in either group (P >0.05); however, after 4 treatment cycles, NT-proBNP levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).CK levels in the observation group first decreased and then increased, however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups compared to the control group (P >0.05). There were no significant changes in CK-MB levels between or within the two groups (P >0.05). During the treatment period, LVEF levels in the observation group first decreased and then increased, whereas LVEF levels in the control group decreased compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05). After 4 treatment cycles, the LVEF levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion B. lactis V9 may offer some degree of benefit in preventing anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Key words

Breast cancer / Probiotics / Bifidobacterium lactis V9 / Anthracyclines / Cardiotoxicity / Randomization / Chemotherapy / Prevention

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Li Shiqi, Suriguga, Zhang Jiao, Niu Luying, Cai Zhihui. A randomized controlled clinical study on the prevention of anthracycline chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity by Bifidobacterium lactis V9 in breast cancer patients[J]. Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer. 2026, 13(3): 391-399 https://doi.org/10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.03.010

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