New research from the University of Alberta could change the way we approach one of the deadliest forms of cancer: colorectal cancer.
The study, published in Frontiers in Immunology, suggests that metabolites produced by gut bacteria during the digestion of fiber can activate the body’s immune response against colorectal cancer cells.
A Breakthrough in Cancer Immunotherapy
The research team, led by Kristi Baker, associate professor in the departments of oncology and medical microbiology and immunology, found that these metabolites not only activate a molecule on the cancer cells that attracts T cells but also enter the cancer cells’ nucleus to alter their DNA.
This makes the cancer cells more visible to the immune system.
“The products were also making changes in the cell’s gene expression, which coordinates interactions between the cancer cells and the immune system,” says Baker.
Fiber and Cancer Protection
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths, making this research particularly crucial. The team investigated how a high-fiber diet, often recommended for cancer prevention, could contribute to this protective effect.
They focused on two main metabolites produced during the digestion of fiber: butyrate and propionate. These metabolites were tested on both mouse and human cancer cells, revealing consistent and strong immune responses.
“I was really surprised by the fact that the response was so strong and that it was so reproducible,” Baker notes.
Next Steps in Research
Baker and her team plan to dig deeper into understanding the mechanisms at play, with hopes that the findings could one day be translated into new treatment methods or prognostic tests.
One avenue they plan to explore is combining these metabolites with existing immunotherapies to test their effectiveness against various types of cancer cells.
Baker also suggests that if certain patients lack bacteria that produce these metabolites, they could potentially take a pill to trigger the same immune pathways.
Implications for Treatment
While simply eating more fiber may not produce enough of these metabolites to trigger a significant immune response, this study opens the door for new methods to enhance the body’s natural defenses against cancer.
“For example, if we find a patient who doesn’t have a lot of the bacteria that naturally produce these particular metabolites, maybe they could take a pill that would basically turn on those same pathways in order to boost the immune response,” Baker explains.
This groundbreaking research could offer a new ray of hope in the fight against colorectal cancer, providing a novel approach that leverages the body’s own immune system for better outcomes.
If you care about colon cancer, please see recent studies about how to protect yourself from colon cancer, and results showing this vitamin level in the body is linked to colon cancer risk.
For more information about colon health, please read studies about whether aspirin could lower colon cancer risk in older people, and this drug may lower death risk in colon cancer.
The research findings can be found in Frontiers in Immunology.
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