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- 🧬 How Diet May Boost the Power of Cancer Immunotherapy
🧬 How Diet May Boost the Power of Cancer Immunotherapy
Our Latest Scientific Spotlight
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Hello there,
Have you ever wondered if what you eat could actually help your body respond better to cancer treatment?
A new review published in Life (Zhang et al., 2022) explores how certain dietary patterns can improve the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a type of immunotherapy that has transformed cancer treatment.
What are ICIs?
Our immune system is naturally equipped with “checkpoints”: these are proteins that act like brakes to prevent overactivation. Some cancers exploit these brakes, hiding from immune attack.
ICIs, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, release these brakes, allowing immune cells to recognize and destroy tumors. They’ve changed outcomes for patients with cancers like melanoma and lung cancer, but not everyone responds equally. Researchers are now exploring whether diet might help tip the scales.
Diet influences not only cancer risk but also how our immune system functions. Nutrients and gut microbes interact with immune cells, shaping inflammation, T-cell activation, and tumor defense. Let’s review the three dietary patterns highlighted by the researchers that can strengthen immune responses and possibly make ICIs work better.
🌾 Fiber: The Clinically Proven Booster
Type of study: Clinical trials in melanoma patients.
Key finding: People with high fiber intake were five times more likely to respond to anti–PD-1 therapy than those with low fiber diets.
How it works:
Fiber feeds gut microbes, which produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate. These compounds:
Support immun T-cell activation and memory
Enhance antigen presentation
Increase microbial diversity linked to better ICI responses
Top food sources:
Whole grains (oats, barley, brown rice)
Legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas)
Fruits (apples, pears, berries)
Vegetables (broccoli, carrots, leafy greens)
Nuts and seeds
🥩 Protein Restriction: Promising Animal Studies
Type of study: Animal models (prostate and renal cancer).
How it works:
A moderate protein restriction—especially reducing specific amino acids like glutamine—was found to:
Lower PD-1 expression on immune cells
Promote a shift toward immune-activating macrophages
Strengthen T-cell killing of tumor cells
Possible food approach:
Limit red and processed meats
Emphasize plant-based proteins (lentils, soy, quinoa)
Include moderate fish and poultry intake
(Human trials are still needed to define safe, adequate levels.)
🥑 Ketogenic Diet: Modulating Immune Checkpoints
Type of study: Animal models (glioblastoma, melanoma).
How it works:
A high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate diet decreased PD-L1 levels on tumor cells and PD-1 on immune cells, improving response to ICIs. It may also enrich gut bacteria, such as Akkermansia muciniphila, linked to stronger immunotherapy outcomes.
Typical ketogenic foods:
Healthy fats: olive oil, avocado, nuts, fatty fish
Low-carb vegetables: spinach, kale, zucchini
Moderate protein: eggs, poultry, tofu
(Note: This diet should be medically supervised, as evidence in humans is limited.)
🎯 Take Home Message
Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a revolutionary breakthrough in cancer care, unlocking the body’s own defense system to fight tumors. But diet, too, is proving to be a powerful ally—capable of enhancing immune function, modulating the gut microbiome, and potentially improving therapy response.
While more clinical research is needed, one message stands out:
A varied, fiber-rich diet may be one of the safest and simplest ways to support your immune system during cancer care.
Stay connected with us to receive the latest on evidence-based research, advancements in healthcare, and practical tips.
Best wishes,
- The Angiogenesis Foundation
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