UEG new study shows that Mediterranean diet improves the efficacy of immunotherapy

The Mediterranean diet contains mono and polyunsaturated fats from olive oil nuts and fish, polyphenols and fibers from vegetables, fruits and whole grains, which are closely related to the better efficacy of immunotherapeutic drugs called immunocheckpoint inhibitors (ICI).

Recently, a new study reported by UEG Week in 2022 found that the use of a Mediterranean diet rich in fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids and polymerases was associated with the improvement of immunotherapy remission rate and progression free survival rate in patients with advanced melanoma.

Experts predict that this diet will play an important role in the success of immunotherapy. At present, the scope of the trial is expanding to study the results of different types of tumors (including gastrointestinal cancer).

The Mediterranean diet contains mono and polyunsaturated fats from olive oil nuts and fish, polyphenols and fibers from vegetables, fruits and whole grains, which are closely related to the better efficacy of immunotherapeutic drugs called immunocheckpoint inhibitors (ICI). ICI is very successful in the treatment of melanoma. It plays a role by blocking immune system checkpoints, thus forcing the human body's own T cells to attack cancer cells.

This new multicenter study by British and Dutch researchers recorded the dietary intake of 91 patients with advanced melanoma. They were treated with ICI drugs and monitored their progress through regular imaging remission tests.

In addition to a significant association with overall remission rates, the Mediterranean diet was also significantly associated with 12 month progression free survival.

The research author is Laura Bolte, a doctoral student from the Medical Center of Groningen University in the Netherlands under the guidance of the Medical Center of Groningen University in the Netherlands. He commented: "ICI has helped to completely change the treatment of different types of advanced cancer. Our research emphasizes the importance of dietary assessment in cancer patients who start ICI treatment, and provides support for the role of dietary strategies in improving the prognosis and survival of patients."

The study also found that the consumption of whole grains and beans reduced the possibility of adverse effects related to the immune induction of drugs such as colitis. In contrast, red meat and processed meat are associated with a higher likelihood of immune related side effects.

Laura Bolte added: "The relationship between the efficacy of ICI and diet and intestinal microbiome opens up a promising and exciting future for improving the efficacy of treatment ω- 3 Clinical trials of the effects of supplements are ongoing. As ICI therapy is being extended to various tumor types, including gastrointestinal cancer, these studies may bring therapeutic benefits to the majority of cancer patients in the future. "