Researchers at Penn Medicine have found that a ketogenic diet or beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) supplements may enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy in cancer treatment by improving T cell metabolism. Their study reported at the 66th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting suggested that patients’ immune cells could be made more efficient against cancer by utilizing a ketogenic diet, which leads to increased levels of BHB—an ideal fuel source for CAR T cells. Laboratory trials on mice indicated that those given a ketogenic diet showed better tumor control and survival rates compared to other dietary groups. Subsequent analysis showed that BHB levels correlated positively with CAR T cell expansion in patients who had undergone treatment.
While promising, these findings are preliminary, requiring validation through a Phase I clinical trial focused on patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma receiving CAR T cell therapy. The research team, emphasizing future possibilities, refrains from making dietary recommendations until further evidence supports its efficacy. The study also highlighted BHB’s potential affordability and accessibility as an adjunct to traditional cancer therapies, marking a novel and uncomplicated approach to enhance cancer treatment outcomes.
