Free Republic

Scientists have uncovered how the gut microbiota help the immune system fight melanoma, explaining why patients with a fiber-rich diet and balanced gut bacteria tend to respond better to cancer immunotherapies. The study shows that molecules produced by gut bacteria upon digestion of dietary fiber can improve the function of cancer-fighting immune cells. The research team found that these digestive by-products influence melanoma progression by naturally boosting killer T cell function in pre-clinical cancer models. "Melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy can benefit from a fiber-rich diet and previous studies suggested that what we eat affects the immune system. However, how that...

A study by MSK found that a high-fiber, plant-based diet may delay progression to multiple myeloma in at-risk individuals. Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have announced results from the first clinical trial to demonstrate that a high-fiber, plant-based dietary intervention may delay the progression to multiple myeloma—a rare and currently incurable blood cancer that affects the bone marrow. The study involved 20 participants diagnosed with a precancerous blood disorder and an elevated body mass index (BMI), placing them at higher risk for developing multiple myeloma. Over 12 weeks, participants followed a high-fiber, plant-based meal plan and received...