Mediterranean diet improves cancer patients' response to immunotherapy

A Mediterranean diet improves the response of melanoma patients to immunotherapy. These are the findings of a study by scientists from the University of Groningen presented at the Joint European Gastroenterology Week 2022.

The study was conducted in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It involved 91 patients with advanced melanoma. All were taking immune checkpoint inhibitors, one of the most common types of immunotherapy. Progress was monitored with regular radiological examinations.

Patients who followed a Mediterranean diet responded better to therapy. They also had a significantly higher 12-month progression-free survival rate.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats from olive oil, nuts and fish, as well as polyphenols and fiber from vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

The study also found that eating whole grains and legumes reduced the likelihood of developing a side effect such as colitis. In contrast, red and processed meats were associated with a higher likelihood of developing it.

Scientists speculate that this effect is related to the diet's effect on the gut microbiome. Immunotherapy is used to treat various tumors, including digestive cancers.

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