Dietary fibers (DFs) and their metabolites attract significant attention in research on health and disease, attributing to their effects on regulating metabolism, proliferation,
inflammation, and immunity. When fermented by gut microbiota, DFs mainly produce
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as
acetic acid,
propionic acid, and
butyric acid. As the essential nutrients for intestinal epithelial cells, SCFAs maintain intestinal homeostasis and play essential roles in a wide range of
biological functions. SCFAs have been found to inhibit
histone deacetylase, activate
G protein-coupled receptors, and modulate the immune response, which impacts
cancer and anti-
cancer treatment. Notably, while extensive studies have illuminated the roles of SCFAs in
colorectal cancer development, progression, and treatment outcomes, limited evidence is available for other types of
cancers. This restricts our understanding of the complex mechanisms and clinical applications of SCFAs in
tumors outside the intestinal tract. In this study, we provide a comprehensive summary of the latest evidence on the roles and mechanisms of SCFAs, with a focus on
butyric acid and
propionic acid, derived from microbial fermentation of DFs in
cancer. Additionally, we recapitulate the clinical applications of SCFAs in
cancer treatments and offer our perspectives on the challenges, limitations, and prospects of utilizing SCFAs in
cancer research and
therapy.