A groundbreaking study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania has shed light on how a common dietary supplement could enhance the performance of CAR T cells.
While more clinical trials are necessary for definitive proof, the preliminary data shared at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting hint at an affordable strategy to improve the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy against cancer.
Understanding CAR T Cell Therapy
CAR T cell therapy, which originated at Penn Medicine, is a personalized approach to treating cancer.
This innovative method modifies a patient’s own immune cells so they can hone in on and destroy cancer cells.
Although CAR T cell therapy has shown promise in treating various blood cancers, it doesn’t work for everyone. Dr. Shan Liu, the lead researcher, pointed out that the team took a unique route by examining how different diets could affect T cells, rather than concentrating solely on genetic enhancements.
Impact of the Ketogenic Diet
In their investigation, the team analyzed several diets to assess their effects on the tumor-fighting capabilities of CAR T cells in mouse models of diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma.
Among the diets studied, the ketogenic diet was particularly impactful, resulting in better tumor control and higher survival rates compared to other dietary interventions.
A closer look revealed that increased levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a key metabolite linked to the ketogenic diet, played a crucial role in this improvement.
The scientists theorized that CAR T cells might favor BHB as an energy source over traditional sugars like glucose.
This led to the suggestion that higher BHB levels could enhance the cells’ abilities to effectively target and annihilate cancer cells.
Ongoing Clinical Trials
Building on these findings, the team examined the effects of BHB supplementation combined with CAR T cell therapy.
This new approach was tested on lab models of human cancers, yielding astonishing outcomes.
Many subjects experienced complete tumor eradication, along with robust expansion and activation of CAR T cells.
Additionally, when researchers analyzed blood samples from patients who recently underwent CAR T cell therapy, they noticed a link between higher BHB levels and improved CAR T cell expansion.
Currently, researchers at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center are putting the theory to the test in a Phase I clinical trial.
They aim to assess whether BHB supplementation can reinforce the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy.
Experts are optimistic, noting that this intervention is both affordable and potentially low in terms of side effects.
If the trial results align with earlier findings, this straightforward approach could be married with dietary adjustments and conventional treatments to boost cancer-fighting results.
The clinical trial will focus on patients diagnosed with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, who are receiving commercially available anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy as part of their treatment regimen.
Source: ScienceDaily