A new study indicates that controlled calorie reduction may enhance the cancer-fighting capacity of immune cells, potentially improving the success of advanced immunotherapies.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Researchers from the Van Andel Institute and the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that dietary restriction—lowering calorie intake while maintaining nutrition—can reprogram immune cells known as T cells to become more resilient and effective against tumors. The findings suggest that ketones, which the body produces when glucose levels are low, act as an alternative energy source that boosts T cell performance and stamina.
The study found that mice on a modestly restricted diet produced more of the ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), which T cells then used to fuel their activity in the tumor environment. This metabolic shift enhanced mitochondrial efficiency and helped prevent T cell exhaustion, a common limitation in cancer treatment.
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Experts note that the findings highlight a complex relationship between nutrition and cancer biology. While ketones appear to energize immune cells, certain cancers can also metabolize these compounds, potentially using them for growth. This dual effect underscores the need for careful clinical oversight before applying such dietary approaches in patients, many of whom already struggle with weight loss and malnutrition.
The research also demonstrated that calorie restriction worked synergistically with checkpoint inhibitors—drugs that unleash the immune system against cancer—leading to slower tumor progression in preclinical models. Separate experiments at Penn Medicine found that inducing ketosis or supplementing with BHB enhanced the potency of CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment that engineers patients’ immune cells to target cancer.
These discoveries trace their roots to the “Warburg effect,” a century-old observation that cancer cells rely heavily on glucose even in oxygen-rich conditions. Scientists now propose that reducing glucose and increasing ketones may help tilt the metabolic balance in favor of healthy immune cells while depriving tumors of their preferred fuel.
While the findings do not constitute a recommendation for self-imposed fasting or restrictive diets, they mark a turning point in understanding how metabolism can shape cancer outcomes. Researchers emphasize that future trials will focus on developing safe, personalized dietary protocols designed to complement existing therapies rather than replace them.
The emerging field of nutritional oncology, they say, may ultimately allow doctors to fine-tune cancer treatment not just with drugs—but with diet.
Source: Natural News
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