Nutritional Modulation of the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Narrative Review of Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Interventions
- 1School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
- 2State Key Laboratory for the Modernization of Classical and Famous Prescriptions of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330103, China
- 3Science and Technology Innovation Department, China Resource Jiangzhong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanchang 330103, China
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and disabling symptoms among patients with cancer, but its underlying mechanisms and effective management strategies have not yet been fully elucidated. Increasing evidence suggests that the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA) may contribute to the pathogenesis of CRF by integrating nutritional status, intestinal barrier integrity, microbial metabolites, immune responses, and host energy metabolism. However, direct causal evidence in human CRF remains limited, and several mechanistic insights are extrapolated from other disease models. This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence for nutritional MGBA–CRF regulatory mechanisms, focusing on microbiota-associated biomarkers and microbiome-targeted dietary interventions, and to distinguish directly observed in a CRF population from indirect hypothetical mechanisms. Methods: This review synthesizes current evidence on the nutritional regulatory mechanisms linking the MGBA to CRF, with particular attention to microbiota-associated biomarkers and dietary or microbiome-targeted interventions. Results: Microbiota dysbiosis, reduced production of short-chain fatty acids, disrupted tryptophan metabolism, and increased intestinal permeability may lead to systemic inflammation, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and impaired mitochondrial function, thereby exacerbating fatigue. Moreover, nutritional factors, dietary patterns, and microbiota-targeted interventions may help restore microbiota homeostasis and alleviate fatigue-related biological dysregulation. Conclusions: A deeper understanding of MGBA may help in developing personalized nutritional strategies for patients with cancer experiencing fatigue symptoms and support more effective management of CRF.
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BibTeX
@article{luo2026nutritional,
title = {{Nutritional Modulation of the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Narrative Review of Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Interventions}},
author = {Jiaxin Luo and Xinyue Li and Bingxin Liu and Yinfang Yu and Xue Shen and Huiying Liu and Shimiao Hu and Qin Luo and Xinli Liang and Yanxia Xiong and Wenjun Liu},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18203371},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3371},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Nutritional Modulation of the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Narrative Review of Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Interventions
AU - Jiaxin Luo
AU - Xinyue Li
AU - Bingxin Liu
AU - Yinfang Yu
AU - Xue Shen
AU - Huiying Liu
AU - Shimiao Hu
AU - Qin Luo
AU - Xinli Liang
AU - Yanxia Xiong
AU - Wenjun Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18203371
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3371
AB - Background/Objectives: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and disabling symptoms among patients with cancer, but its underlying mechanisms and effective management strategies have not yet been fully elucidated. Increasing evidence suggests that the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA) may contribute to the pathogenesis of CRF by integrating nutritional status, intestinal barrier integrity, microbial metabolites, immune responses, and host energy metabolism. However, direct causal evidence in human CRF remains limited, and several mechanistic insights are extrapolated from other disease models. This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence for nutritional MGBA–CRF regulatory mechanisms, focusing on microbiota-associated biomarkers and microbiome-targeted dietary interventions, and to distinguish directly observed in a CRF population from indirect hypothetical mechanisms. Methods: This review synthesizes current evidence on the nutritional regulatory mechanisms linking the MGBA to CRF, with particular attention to microbiota-associated biomarkers and dietary or microbiome-targeted interventions. Results: Microbiota dysbiosis, reduced production of short-chain fatty acids, disrupted tryptophan metabolism, and increased intestinal permeability may lead to systemic inflammation, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and impaired mitochondrial function, thereby exacerbating fatigue. Moreover, nutritional factors, dietary patterns, and microbiota-targeted interventions may help restore microbiota homeostasis and alleviate fatigue-related biological dysregulation. Conclusions: A deeper understanding of MGBA may help in developing personalized nutritional strategies for patients with cancer experiencing fatigue symptoms and support more effective management of CRF.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -