Could nutrition have a role in the fight against blood cancer? A recent study highlights the impact of a high-fiber diet on the progression of multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the bone marrow. If targeted treatments are in development, a simple dietary change could show promise.
Multiple myeloma, the most common blood cancer after lymphomas, generally progresses from precancerous disorders. Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center studied the effect of a diet specific to at-risk patients with precancerous blood disorders. According to the results presented at the 2024 meeting of the American Society of Hematology, such a diet could slow down the progression of disease. The study involved 20 individuals with high body mass index and precancerous blood disorders. For 12 weeks, participants followed a high-fiber plant-based diet, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. This approach was accompanied by 24 weeks of nutritional monitoring.
The results are encouraging: two patients whose disease was progressing before the study saw their progression slowed down. One year later, no participant developed multiple myeloma. On average, subjects lost 8% of their body weight after 12 weeks. Dr Urvi Shah, head of the study, discusses the beneficial effects of this diet on the microbiome and the metabolismthus strengthening the immune system.
In addition to the immediate effects on the health of participants, this study sheds light on key factors of the disease. Multiple myeloma is often preceded by abnormalities in plasma cells, immune cells. Poor diet, overweight or low consumption of plants increase the risk of developing this cancer. The diet studied, rich in fiber and plants, seems to reverse this trend.
The researchers also conducted a parallel study on mice with latent myeloma. Here too, the results are positive: 56% of mice fed a diet rich in fiber saw the disease progress to myeloma, compared to 100% in the control group.
Building on these results, a new part of the study was launched, this time targeting 150 participants. The aim is to expand on these findings and confirm the effects of a specific diet on the progression of blood cancer. If this research proves conclusive, it could pave the way for an innovative preventive strategy.
Thus, this nutritional program could constitute a non-invasive alternative to slow the progression of multiple myeloma. If diet were to play a central role in prevention, it would add to traditional medical treatments, bringing a new perspective in the fight against this formidable cancer.
These advances offer an innovative vision of myeloma treatments, showing the importance of diet in the management of the disease. Future clinical trials could validate this nutritional approach and broaden its application to other types of cancers.
The researchers emphasize that, if this approach proves effective, it could become a pillar of patient care, in addition to current treatments. Prevention through nutrition could thus transform the way we approach this disease.
