PR98158

VIENNA Oct. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/

Eating a Mediterranean diet, rich in fibre, mono-unsaturated fatty acids and

polyphenols, has been associated with improved immunotherapy response rates and

progression-free survival in advanced melanoma patients, a new study presented

today at UEG Week 2022 has found.

Experts anticipate that the diet will play an important role in the success of

immunotherapy and trials are being expanded to investigate outcomes for

different tumour types, including digestive cancers.

A Mediterranean diet, containing mono-and polyunsaturated fats from olive oil,

nuts and fish, polyphenols and fibre from vegetables, fruit, and wholegrains,

was significantly associated with an improved response to immunotherapy drugs

called Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs). ICIs, which have been highly

successful in treating melanoma, work by blocking immune system checkpoints,

which then force the body's own T-cells to attack cancers.

The new multi-centre study by researchers from the UK and the Netherlands,

recorded the dietary intake of 91 patients with advanced melanoma, who were

treated with ICI drugs and monitored their progress with regular radiographic

response check-ups.

As well as having a significant association with overall response rate, a

Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with progression-free survival

at 12 months.

Laura Bolte, author of the study and PhD candidate under supervision of Prof.

Rinse Weersma from the University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands,

commented, "ICI has helped to revolutionise the treatment of different types of

advanced cancers. Our study underlines the importance of dietary assessment in

cancer patients starting ICI treatment and supports a role for dietary

strategies to improve patient outcomes and survival."

The study also found that eating wholegrains and legumes reduced the likelihood

of developing drug induced immune-related side effects, such as colitis. In

contrast, red and processed meat was associated with a higher probability of

immune-related side effects.

"The relationship of ICI response with diet and the gut microbiome opens a

promising and exciting future to enhance treatment responses. Clinical trials

investigating the effect of a high fibre diet, ketogenic diet and

supplementation of omega-3 are underway. Since ICI therapy is being expanded to

various tumour types, including digestive cancers, these studies could unlock

treatment benefits for a large group of cancer patients in the future," added

Laura Bolte.

Source: United European Gastroenterology (UEG)