Sweetener in diet drinks interferes with cancer treatment

The consumption of high amounts of the artificial sweetener sucralose may reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with certain types of cancer. These include melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. This is shown by new data published in the scientific journal Cancer Discovery and cited by Reuters.

In a study involving 132 patients suffering from advanced melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer, researchers found that high sucralose intake was associated with a significantly weaker immune response to immunotherapy and lower survival rates. The data was collected through detailed questionnaires regarding the participants’ dietary habits.

The study explains the mechanism through experiments with mice—sucralose alters the gut microbiome by increasing the number of bacteria that break down arginine. This is an amino acid vital for the functions of T-cells—key participants in the immune response and the mechanism of action for immunotherapy. When arginine levels are reduced, T-cells do not function optimally, leading to a weaker treatment effect.

“When arginine is depleted due to changes in the microbiome caused by sucralose, T-cells simply cannot do their job,” explains Dr. Abby Overacre from the University of Pittsburgh. She is the lead author of the study.

There is, however, positive news. Scientists found that arginine supplements in mice successfully neutralized the negative effect of sucralose and restored the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The research team is now planning clinical trials with humans to confirm this effect.

“We understand that it is unrealistic to ask oncology patients to completely give up diet drinks or other sources of sucralose. That is why the arginine approach is so promising—it could offer a solution without the need for drastic lifestyle changes,” adds Dr. Overacre.

Source: Reuters / Cancer Discovery