AUTHOR=Li Yongjie , Jiang Feng , Wang Ting , Zeng Min 

TITLE=Polygonatum polysaccharides as gut microbiota modulators: implications for autophagy-dependent PD-L1 clearance in cancer immunotherapy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1612644

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2025.1612644

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=The purpose of this review article is to examine the biotransformation of Polygonatum polysaccharides and the role that gut microbiota plays in that biotransformation. In the past years, PD-L1 has come under much attention as an immune checkpoint target and autophagy-lysosomal mediated degradation of PD-L1 provides new approaches for cancer immunotherapy. This review explores how gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation of Polygonatum polysaccharides may influence PD-L1 expression and degradation, potentially offering a novel approach to enhancing cancer immunotherapy. This synthesis of information highlights the complex relationship between foods, microbiota, and the immune system and supports the emerging idea that targeting microbiota-mediated metabolism and the immune response may be beneficial to improve cancer therapeutics.