A group of researchers at the University of Chicago has identified a fatty acid called trans-vaccenic acid, found in beef, lamb, and dairy products, that appears to boost the ability of human immune cells to locate and destroy cancer tumors. This finding was published in Nature. In their study, biologists reviewed data from a catalog of nearly 700 known metabolites that enter the body through food. They then tested the most promising compounds for their potential to help the immune system fight cancer by triggering CD8+ T cells, the immune cells essential for eliminating cancerous or virus-infected cells.
The standout compound is trans-vaccenic acid, which is also present in breast milk. When mice were fed a diet enriched with this fatty acid, the growth of skin and colon tumors slowed significantly. The presence of trans-vaccenic acid boosted the ability of CD8+ T cells to infiltrate tumors, suggesting a direct enhancement of the immune response against cancer cells.
The researchers also analyzed blood samples from patients who received CAR-T cell immunotherapy for lymphoma. They observed that patients with higher levels of trans-vaccenic acid tended to respond more favorably to the treatment compared with those who had lower levels. Based on these observations, scientists propose that trans-vaccenic acid could serve as a nutritional supplement to improve responses to cancer immunotherapy, though additional research is necessary before any clinical application is pursued.
In a separate line of work, other scientists have pursued ways to detect stomach cancer with high accuracy, demonstrating progress in early diagnosis and screening strategies.
Overall, the study highlights a potential link between dietary fats and immune education, where certain fatty acids may prime immune cells to recognize and attack tumors more effectively. If confirmed in further studies and clinical trials, trans-vaccenic acid could become a valuable tool in supporting cancer therapies and possibly in preventive nutrition strategies. The findings open avenues for additional research into how diet influences immune system performance and cancer control, underscoring the importance of integrating nutrition science with oncology research as part of a broader effort to improve cancer outcomes.