What we eat affects our bodies — you know that too. Patients also ask their doctors every day which foods can support their treatment. Within the scientific community, there is growing interest in the role of the microbiome — the microbes that peacefully reside in our gut. What impact do they have on the side effects of immunotherapy? And what role does nutrition play in this? These are the questions a group of researchers at UZ Brussel & VUB aim to investigate. The knowledge they gather could be groundbreaking and significantly improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
What do we already know?
We know that a diverse gut microbiome has a positive effect on the immune system. The composition of the microbiome is influenced by many factors, and our diet plays a clear role. Through an international project, thousands of stool samples from healthy individuals have been collected, along with information about their lifestyle. The data showed that people who ate more than 30 different plant foods (vegetables, fruits, nuts) per week had a more diverse microbiome than those who consumed only 10 or fewer per week.
What do we want to investigate?
This information strongly suggests to our researchers that patients may be able to improve their treatment outcomes by adapting their diet at the time of a cancer diagnosis. With this study, we want to demonstrate that patients can enhance the effectiveness and tolerability of immunotherapy. The FORX project (Food interventions to Reduce immunotherapy toXicity) aims to explore what patients themselves can do to improve their immunotherapy outcomes. Could healthy nutrition play a life-saving role?
How will we conduct this groundbreaking study?
The study is designed to identify a dietary adjustment that is concrete and culturally adaptable for patients: eating 30 different plant-based foods per week. During the first 12 weeks of their immunotherapy treatment, 60 patients will receive a weekly box containing 30 different vegetables, fruits, and legumes, along with nutritional coaching to help optimize preparation. Blood and stool samples will be used to investigate the effects on the immune system and gut microbiome. The hypothesis is that this diverse diet will lead to a more balanced immune response, resulting in fewer treatment side effects and improved quality of life. During a follow-up observational phase lasting up to 2 years, data on the effectiveness of the immunotherapy will also be collected.
More information: https://researchportal.vub.be/en/projects/forx-food-interventions-to-reduce-immunotherapy-toxicity
Website: https://www.uzbrussel.be/web/medische-oncologie/forx
Funding: FWO mandate Marthe Verhaert
RERE PI: Prof. Nele Adriaenssens