The Gut Microbiome and Cancer Treatment Outcomes

Discover the surprising connection between your gut health and cancer via the Cancerwise podcast from MD Anderson Cancer Center, an HCL Center of Excellence. In this episode, the speakers unravel the mysteries of the gut microbiome and its powerful influence on your immune system and cancer treatment outcomes.

Carrie Daniel-MacDougall, Ph. D., an associate professor, and Dr. Jennifer Wargo, a professor of Surgical Oncology, explain that the microbiome consists of trillions of microbes in our bodies, particularly in the gut. These microbes help shape the immune system and influence responses to cancer treatment. A healthy gut microbiome is diverse, containing beneficial bacteria that produce good metabolites while lacking harmful microbes that cause inflammation.

The gut microbiome has a major role in breaking down food; it's important to consume high-fiber, plant-based foods that support gut health and immunity. Researchers at MD Anderson have studied the gut microbiome of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy for melanoma, discovering that patients who responded to treatment had a more diverse microbiome and higher levels of specific beneficial microbes compared to those who did not respond.

So, what factors can cause changes in an individual's gut microbiome? Day-to-day variations within a person's microbiome can result from their diet, physical activity, and sleep, while antibiotic use and certain medications also significantly impact gut health. Broad-spectrum antibiotics can hinder the effectiveness of immunotherapy in cancer patients, highlighting the need for careful antibiotic prescribing.

The researchers note that some over-the-counter probiotics did not show benefits and may have impaired treatment responses. However, some probiotics are beneficial, making it crucial for patients to consult their treatment team before making any changes to diet or supplements.

At MD Anderson, the Program for Innovative Microbiome and Translational Research (PRIME-TR) allows them to analyze patients' microbiomes for research.

In their research, they allowed patients to maintain their regular diets while adding a cup of beans daily, which led to increased beneficial gut bacteria linked with improved responses to immunotherapy. Beans have numerous nutritional benefits, notably high fiber and protein content. The researchers used canned navy beans for consistency.

The speakers assert that whole foods offer a range of nutrients and benefits that supplements cannot replicate. They explain that a healthy gut microbiome evolves through whole foods, which provide a variety of fibers and bioactive compounds that enhance gut health and immune responses.

Tune in here 🎧 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Vi4qGw8No