A new study published in Cancer Discovery suggests that consuming high levels of sucralose may hinder cancer treatment, particularly immunotherapy. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center found that patients with melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer who consumed sucralose had a worse response to immunotherapy and poorer survival rates compared to those with low sucralose intake.
However, adding supplements such as arginine or citrulline to their diet may counteract the negative effects of sucralose. The study used mouse models to show that sucralose disrupts gut bacteria, leading to lower levels of arginine – a crucial amino acid for T cell function in cancer treatment.
In human clinical trials involving 132 patients with advanced melanoma or lung cancer, researchers found that sucralose impeded the effectiveness of immunotherapies across different cancer types and stages. The study suggests designing prebiotics, such as targeted nutrient supplementation, to mitigate the effects of sucralose on the immune system.
Future research plans include launching a clinical trial to test whether citrulline supplements can improve the immune system’s ability to fight tumors in patients. Additionally, researchers aim to investigate how other sugar substitutes impact the immune response and cancer treatment outcomes.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/sucralose-cancer-treatments-university-of-pittsburgh-upmc-study