Is there potential for a high-fiber diet to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy treatments?
A high-fiber diet could potentially enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments for bladder and kidney cancer patients, according to a pilot study conducted by Dr. Brendan Guercio at Memorial Sloan Kettering and ongoing research at Wilmot Cancer Institute.
Gut bacteria play a significant role in influencing the success of immunotherapy, a treatment that trains the immune system to fight cancer. Some bacterial taxa, such as Ruminococcaceae, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium, which are associated with better immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) responses, can be influenced by dietary factors, particularly fiber intake.
High fiber intake has been linked to improved therapeutic responses to ICIs in some cancers, such as melanoma. Studies have shown that patients consuming high-fiber diets had better progression-free survival and objective response rates. The beneficial effects may be due to increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, produced by the fermentation of fiber by the gut microbiota, which support immune modulation and anti-tumor activity.
However, preclinical mouse model studies have shown inconsistent or limited effects of dietary fiber on ICI efficacy, suggesting that other diet-related factors or the broader diet context may be important.
Dr. Guercio's research aims to examine whether the amount of fiber in patients' diets impacts the amount and type of bacteria in their gut, and whether this relationship influences the effectiveness of immunotherapy. He will look for beneficial factors like SCFA, which may help prime the immune system to respond to immunotherapy.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, showed a similar trend for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Dr. Guercio received the Interdisciplinary RCC Focus Award from the Kidney Cancer Association to support his research on the effect of a high-fiber diet on patients with RCC.
While the hypothesis is supported by some promising indirect and observational data, definitive conclusions on high-fiber diet efficacy specifically in bladder and kidney cancer immunotherapy remain to be established. More large-scale, controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm if and how a high-fiber diet can directly boost immunotherapy effectiveness in these patient populations.
For patients navigating diet and nutrition concerns, Wilmot Cancer Institute offers resources such as individualized nutrition consultations and free group cooking classes.
Dr. Guercio cautions that a high-fiber diet is not a substitute for standard therapies. He emphasizes that further research is needed to confirm the potential benefits of a high-fiber diet in the context of immunotherapy for bladder and kidney cancer.
Follow @BrendanGuercio on Twitter to learn more about his research and stay updated on the latest findings in this exciting and promising area of cancer treatment.
- Science suggests that a high-fiber diet could potentially influence the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments, particularly for bladder and kidney cancer patients, as research conducted by Dr. Brendan Guercio and ongoing studies indicate.
- In the realm of health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and nutrition, it's been discovered that certain gut bacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium, can be influenced by fiber intake and could have an impact on medical-conditions like cancer, specifically immunotherapy responses.
- As more large-scale, controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm the potential benefits of a high-fiber diet in the context of immunotherapy for bladder and kidney cancer, resources like individualized nutrition consultations and free group cooking classes are available at facilities like Wilmot Cancer Institute for patients navigating diet and nutrition concerns.
