What is unknown in using microbiota as a therapeutic?

• Main Authors: Sung, Joseph Jao Yiu, Wong, Sunny Hei
• Other Authors: Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Science::Medicine; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation; Microbiome Therapeutics
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/162005
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been used extensively in the treatment of various gastrointestinal and extraintestinal conditions, despite that there are still a lot of missing gaps in our knowledge in the gut microbiota and its behavior. This article describes the unknowns in microbiota biology (undetected microbes, uncertain colonization, unclear mechanisms of action, uncertain indications, unsure long-term efficacy, or side effects). We discuss how these unknowns may affect the therapeutic uses of FMT, and the potentials and caveats of other related microbiota-based therapies. When used as an experimental therapy or last resort in difficult conditions, caution should be taken against inadvertent complications. Clear documentations of post-treatment events should be made mandatory, classified, and graded as in clinical trials. Further robust scientific experiments and properly designed clinical studies are needed.