Abstract: A probiotic composition for improving an effect of a chemotherapeutic drug of Gemcitabine on inhibiting pancreatic cancer is disclosed in the present disclosure. The probiotic composition comprises an effective amount of Lactobacillus paracasei GMNL-133, an effective amount of Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-89, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the Lactobacillus paracasei GMNL-133 was deposited in the China Center for Type Culture Collection on Sep. 26, 2011 under an accession number CCTCC NO. M 2011331, and the Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-89 was deposited in the China Center for Type Culture Collection on Nov. 19, 2007 under an accession number CCTCC NO. M 207154. A method for improving the effect of the chemotherapeutic drug of Gemcitabine on inhibiting pancreatic cancer is further disclosed in the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of identifying a plurality of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are therapeutic to a subject having an immune-related disease, for example, arthritis. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the MSCs exhibiting to the immune-related disease are characterized in having an immunosuppressive protein binding value (IPBv) greater than 170 toward indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) after being exposed to 50-800 U/ml of IFN-?. Also disclosed herein are uses of the identified MSCs for the manufacture of a medicament, and methods of treating an immune-related disease by use of the identified MSCs or medicament.