Mediterranean diet benefits patients with advanced Melanoma
Source: Mirage News, February 2023
Eating a Mediterranean diet, rich in whole grains, nuts, fish and vegetables, is associated with an improved immunotherapy response in patients with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
The study, supported by the Seerave Foundation, showed that a Mediterranean dietary pattern, including foods that is rich in fiber, unsaturated fat, antioxidants and polyphenols, was positively associated with the patient’s response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). ICB is a relatively new and highly successful treatment against severe cancers used in immunotherapy to boost the immune system. These drugs cause the immune system to recognise, clear and destroy the cancer cells.
The connection between the diet, gut microbes and helping the immune system fight cancer is one of the most exciting areas of medical research. Our two publications clearly show the importance of a gut friendly diet on improving your chances of surviving a cancer.– Professor Tim Spector, co-lead of the study from the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology