Research from UMC Groningen and Kings College London suggests that a Mediterranean diet improves the effectiveness of immune therapy in patients with advanced melanoma. The results have been published in JAMA Oncology.
In this study, the researchers examined the diet of 91 patients with an advanced form of melanoma. The patients were followed for 12 months. Endpoints were overall response rate, progression-free survival at 12 months, and Grade 2 or higher immune-related adverse events.
In the study, a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fiber, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, appears to be associated with a better response to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4).
According to the UMCG researchers, this study indicates the importance of the diet in cancer patients who are starting immunotherapy. The researchers now want to see whether this result also applies to patients with other forms of cancer. According to the researchers, the relationship between the effect of immunotherapy and diet and intestinal flora is promising for improving the effect of the treatment.
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UMC Groningen