Despite major advances in diagnostics and treatment, lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. A dedicated researcher and his team are currently investigating how nutrition might play a role in the treatment of lung tumors.
Despite major advances in diagnostics and treatment, lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. A dedicated researcher and his team are currently investigating how nutrition might play a role in the treatment of lung tumors.
“I want to understand how nutrition, gut bacteria, and the effectiveness of cancer therapies interact on a molecular level,” explains PD Dr. Maximilian Bösch. He sees high-fiber diets as a promising approach, particularly in the context of immunotherapy: “It’s easy to implement, low-cost, accessible to many people, and carries minimal risk. Most importantly, it has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment.”
Dietary fiber refers to indigestible components of food found mainly in plant-based sources such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Fiber can strengthen the immune system in several ways—for example, by improving the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cells. Fiber also impacts the gut microbiome—the vast community of microorganisms in the digestive system that plays a key role in immune function.
Emerging studies suggest that a high-fiber diet may improve a patient’s response to cancer therapies.
Dr. Bösch and his team aim to learn more about the effects of dietary fiber during immunotherapy for lung cancer.
To do this, they are conducting a clinical study at several centers across Switzerland. All participating patients receive immunotherapy as part of their standard cancer care. In addition, the test group takes a fiber supplement to increase fiber intake in a controlled way. Participants provide regular blood and stool samples, which are analyzed to better understand the microbiome and the immune response.
In the long term, the goal is to integrate the microbiome into personalized cancer treatment. “New biomarkers identified in this study could help tailor therapies more precisely,” says the molecular oncologist. “Ideally, our findings could also be applied to other types of tumors.”
Projektnummer: KFS-6039-02-2024 - Relevance of dietary fibers for cancer immunotherapy in lung cancer
