A ketogenic diet supplement has shown promise in improving cancer-fighting immune cells, according to new research. The study found that a low-carb diet can increase the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy, a personalized treatment that reprograms patients’ own immune cells to kill cancer.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center tested different diets on mouse models of diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma. They found that mice receiving a ketogenic diet had improved tumor control and survival rates compared to those on other diets.
The study suggests that a key factor in this effect is beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a metabolite produced by the liver when it responds to a ketogenic diet. Researchers believe that CAR T cells prefer BHB as a fuel source over standard sugars, giving them more power to attack cancer cells.
A Phase I clinical trial is currently underway at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center to test the theory that BHB supplementation can improve response to CAR T cell therapy. If successful, this approach could provide a cost-effective strategy for enhancing cancer-fighting abilities.
While the research is promising, it’s essential to note that more studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess the safety and efficacy of this intervention in humans.
Source: https://zeenews.india.com/health/keto-diet-could-boost-cancer-fighting-immune-cells-study-reveals-2829190