Effects of Eating Fiber, Plant-Based Diet, Keto Diet, and Smoking on Certain Blood Cancers

A press briefing hosted at the 2024 ASH conference shared insights from several studies on how lifestyle choices influence people with blood cancer. Read summaries from the research highlights below. 

A High-Fiber Diet After a Stem Cell Transplant Reduces the Risk of GVHD 

Research led by staff scientist Jenny Paredes, PhD, from the City of Hope National Medical Center suggests that a high-fiber diet following an allogeneic stem cell transplant could decrease the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by fostering a healthy gut microbiome. 

The study challenges the typical post-transplant low-fiber dietary guidelines, which might be counterproductive by harming microbiome health and reducing gut microbial diversity. 

The findings showed that maintaining a high-fiber diet could not only improve gut health but also enhance survival rates and reduce acute GVHD symptoms, especially in the lower gastrointestinal tract. However, Dr. Paredes noted that for some patients, especially those with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), reducing fiber might help avoid discomfort, underlining the need for tailored dietary recommendations. 

High-Fiber Plant-Based Diet May Slow Cancer Progression to Multiple Myeloma

Myeloma specialist Urvi Shah, MD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, provided research from the NUTRIVENTION study that showed a high-fiber plant-based diet helped patients by improving their metabolism, microbiome, and immune system. This included an improved body mass index (BMI), insulin sensitivity, healthier gut flora, and reduced inflammation. 

The study showed promising results, indicating delayed progression of multiple myeloma precursors such as MGUS or smoldering myeloma in some of the patients and a healthier immune environment, potentially due to beneficial changes in the gut microbiome. 

To support Dr. Shah in advancing this research, click here to review your eligibility to join the NUTRIVENTION3 study.

Smoking Correlated with Gene Mutations that Worsen MDS 

Sangeetha Venugopal, MD, MS, from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, led research efforts to evaluate the correlation between smoking and increased rates of gene mutations found in people with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). 

Reviewing the records of almost 2,000 MDS patients, over half of these had a history of cigarette smoking, and 18% were still smoking at the time of diagnosis. Dr. Venugopal found that smokers generally had more mutations in their genes than non-smokers, and the number of mutations increased with the number of pack-years smoked, indicating a dose-response relationship. 

Additionally, smoking was associated with a higher rate of cancer progression and a lower overall survival rate among patients compared to non-smokers or those with a shorter history of smoking. If you need help quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about available support options. 

Metabolite BHB Created During the Keto Diet May Support CAR T-cell Therapy 

Researcher Shan Liu, PhD, and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania investigated whether specific diets could improve the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy. 

After testing several diets, they found that the ketogenic diet showed promise in reducing tumor size in mice. The researchers believed a compound made during ketosis called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was the potential key factor for this impact. 

Early data from laboratory studies showed that BHB improved CAR T-cells’ ability to multiply and enhanced their fitness. CAR T-cells could use BHB as an energy source to boost their anti-cancer activity. 

It is important to note that you should never make significant changes to your diet or start any supplements without first discussing them with your healthcare team, who can review the potential benefits and risks based on your specific situation. 

Evaluating BHB as a supplement in combination with CAR T-cell therapy has not yet been tested in humans.  A clinical trial is now underway to review this for people with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). More research will help doctors fully understand BHB’s implications for patient care. 

GLP-1 Medicines Decrease the Risk of Developing a Vein Blood Clot for People with Type 2 Diabetes 

Although the research findings below involve a blood condition called venous thromboembolism, not blood cancer, we included them in the article summary because the insights from this condition may benefit you. 

GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide, appear to offer benefits beyond aiding in weight loss and supporting people with type 2 diabetes to manage blood pressure. 

New research from junior medical resident Cho Han Chiang, MD, and colleagues at Mount Auburn Hospital shows that if you have type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists may reduce your risk of developing a vein blood clot (venous thromboembolism [VTE]) by 20% more than people who use DPP-4 inhibitors (another type of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes). 

Stay Tuned for More ASH 2024 Coverage 

Stay tuned for more ASH coverage in the coming weeks as we share the results of new research in easy-to-understand articles. Access it here: HealthTree Conference Coverage.

Sources: 

• Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists Reduce the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Diabetes Irrespective of Obesity: A Propensity Score-Matched Multicenter Database Analysis
• Increased Fiber Intake Results in Better Overall Survival and Lower GI-aGVHD in Allo-HCT Recipients and Pre-Clinical Gvhd Models
• A High-Fiber Dietary Intervention (NUTRIVENTION) in Precursor Plasma Cell Disorders Improves Biomarkers of Disease and May Delay Progression to Myeloma
• Association between Smoking Intensity, Genetic Mutations, and Disease Progression in Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Ketogenic Diet Enhances CAR T Cell Antitumor Function Via β-Hydroxybutyrate
• ASH 2024 Press Release: Research Shows How Lifestyle Factors and Diet Affect Hematologic Care