Nutrition could play a key role in how patients respond to cancer therapies, according to new French research.
A study published in Nature Communications highlights the impact of indole-3-carbinol, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, radishes and arugula.
Researchers found that the molecule significantly improves the effectiveness of immunotherapies by acting on T lymphocytes, white blood cells essential to the immune system.
Maintaining adequate nutrition is often a challenge for cancer patients, yet evidence linking diet, microbiota and treatment response is growing.
While cancer therapy outcomes depend on many biological factors, the findings suggest environmental influences — particularly diet — may also play a decisive role.
Immunotherapy is increasingly used in oncology, and the study indicates that dietary compounds could enhance its success.