Possible explanations and proposed solutions for disappointing therapeutic results of probiotic treatment of IBD and other conditions
| Reason for failure | Proposed solution |
|---|---|
| Wrong targets | Individualise treatment based on molecular pattern of dysbiosis |
| Wrong probiotic agents | Use protective commensal enteric species, which may be more suitable than probiotics derived from cultured milk or foods, complex groups of commensal species or even intact normal bacterial communities (faecal transplant) |
| Targeting incorrect disease mechanisms | Tailor therapeutic agent to correct underlying genetic defect/inflammatory pathway in an individual |
| Product not as potent as needed | Genetically enhance bacterial function through addition or deletion of bioactive genes (pharmabiotics) |
| Product not administered at a time in relation to the disease onset where it can be effective | Target therapy to phase of disease process |
| Age of the subject | Tailor therapy to age/developmental stage of individual subject |
IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.