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Gut microbiome changes and cancer immunotherapy outcomes associated with dietary interventions: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence

C. Somodi, David Dora, Mátyás Horváth, G. Szegvári, Z. Lohinai

Journal of Translational Medicine, 2025

27 citations

Abstract

Cancer patient’s survival has gradually improved due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Several studies showed a possible association between the intestinal microbiome and ICI efficacy. Strategies for modifying the composition of the gut microbiome encompass various dietary interventions, which may have distinct impacts on the outcomes of ICI-treated patients. In our systematic review, we explored how dietary habits correlate with therapeutic responses in cancer patients and cancer mouse models undergoing immunotherapy. A systematic review was conducted using search terms: “cancer”, “immunotherapy”, “diet”, and “microbiome”, from Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. The outcomes in the clinical studies were overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), or progression-free survival (PFS) in human studies. In mouse studies, change in tumor size was the endpoint. The comparator attributions were questionnaire-based dietary interventions. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review (6 prospective cohort studies, 1 cross-sectional observational study, and 12 mouse studies). A consistent association was observed between high (vs. low) fiber consumption and improved therapeutic response with a pooled odds ratio of 5.79 when including all human prospective cohort studies. In mice, limited availability of methionine, cysteine, and low intake of leucine and glutamine was linked to reduced tumor progression.…

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