Keto Diet May Enhance CAR-T Cell Therapy for Blood Cancer
Could a Keto Diet Supercharge Cancer Treatment?
New research suggests a common dietary supplement could significantly boost the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy,a groundbreaking cancer treatment.
CAR-T cell therapy harnesses the power of a patient’s own immune system too fight cancer.immune cells are extracted, reprogrammed to target cancer cells, and then reintroduced into the body. While currently used primarily for specific blood cancers, researchers are exploring its potential for a wider range of malignancies.
A new study, presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual meeting and Exposition, offers a promising avenue to enhance this treatment.Conducted by the university of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, the research focused on the impact of diet on CAR-T cell therapy.
The Keto Connection
Scientists discovered that a ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan, significantly improved the ability of CAR-T cells to destroy tumors in mice with a type of blood cancer.
The key lies in a substance called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), produced by the liver when the body burns fat for energy instead of sugar. This metabolic shift, characteristic of the keto diet, provides CAR-T cells with a more potent energy source than glucose, empowering them to more effectively target and eliminate cancer cells.
Understanding the Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet drastically reduces carbohydrate intake, forcing the body to enter a state of ketosis. In this state, fat becomes the primary fuel source, leading to the production of ketones, including BHB.
Popular for weight loss, the keto diet typically emphasizes foods like meats, fish, eggs, nuts, dairy, and healthy fats while avoiding bread, rice, sugar, and starchy vegetables.
from Mice to Humans: Promising Results
The research team also analyzed blood samples from cancer patients and healthy volunteers, finding a correlation between higher BHB levels and stronger CAR-T cell activity.
In mice, supplementing with BHB alongside CAR-T cell therapy resulted in complete cancer elimination in most cases.
Encouraged by these findings, a clinical trial is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of BHB supplementation in humans with large B-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
A Potential Game-changer?
Dr. Maayan Levy, a researcher involved in the study, highlighted the potential of this approach: “This treatment is low-cost and has minimal side effects.”
However, the team emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to confirm these findings and establish clear recommendations regarding diet and supplements.
if proven effective,this simple intervention could revolutionize cancer treatment,offering patients a safe and affordable way to enhance their outcomes.
Published By: Daphne Clarance
Published On: Dec 11, 2024
Could a Keto Diet Supercharge Cancer Treatment?
New research suggests a common dietary supplement could considerably boost the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy, a groundbreaking cancer treatment.
CAR-T cell therapy harnesses the power of a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer.Immune cells are extracted,reprogrammed to target cancer cells,adn than reintroduced into the body. While currently used primarily for specific blood cancers, researchers are exploring its potential for a wider range of malignancies.
A new study, presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual meeting and Exposition, offers a promising avenue to enhance this treatment. Conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center,the research focused on the impact of diet on CAR-T cell therapy.
The Keto Connection
Scientists discovered that a ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan, significantly improved the ability of CAR-T cells to destroy tumors in mice with a type of blood cancer.
The key lies in a substance called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), produced by the liver when the body burns fat for energy rather of sugar. This metabolic shift, characteristic of the keto diet, provides CAR-T cells with a more potent energy source than glucose, empowering them to more effectively target and eliminate cancer cells.
Understanding the Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet drastically reduces carbohydrate intake, forcing the body to enter a state of ketosis. In this state, fat becomes the primary fuel source, leading to the production of ketones, including BHB.
Popular for weight loss, the keto diet typically emphasizes foods like meats, fish, eggs, nuts, dairy, and healthy fats while avoiding bread, rice, sugar, and starchy vegetables.
From Mice to Humans: Promising Results
The research team also analyzed blood samples from cancer patients and healthy volunteers, finding a correlation between higher BHB levels and stronger CAR-T cell activity.
In mice, supplementing with BHB alongside CAR-T cell therapy resulted in complete cancer elimination in most cases.
Encouraged by these findings, a clinical trial is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of BHB supplementation in humans with large B-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
A Potential Game-changer?
Dr. Maayan Levy, a researcher involved in the study, highlighted the potential of this approach: “This treatment is low-cost and has minimal side effects.”
though, the team emphasizes the need for further clinical trials to confirm these findings and establish clear recommendations regarding diet and supplements.
If proven effective, this simple intervention could revolutionize cancer treatment, offering patients a safe and affordable way to enhance their outcomes.
Published By: Daphne Clarance
Published On: Dec 11, 2024