Paris, France – December 2, 2025 – A groundbreaking study reveals a surprising dietary component-cabbage-may significantly enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy, a leading cancer treatment. Research published in Nature Communications demonstrates that compounds found in cabbage activate the aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR),a crucial process for bolstering the body’s immune response to tumors.
The findings, released today by Inserm and Institut Curie, offer a potential, accessible strategy to improve outcomes for patients undergoing anti-PD1 therapy. Immunotherapy, while transformative for many, doesn’t work for everyone, and identifying factors that amplify its efficacy is a critical area of ongoing research. This discovery suggests a simple dietary adjustment could broaden the reach and impact of these life-saving treatments, affecting millions diagnosed with cancer globally.
Lead by Élodie segura and colleagues at Institut Curie, the study pinpointed that physiological activation of the AHR by ligands derived from food is essential for anti-PD1 therapy to succeed. Researchers, including Alice Coillard, Adeline cros, Alessandra Rigamonti, Lamine Alaoui, Julio L Sampaio, Natacha Monot, Aurélie Balvay, anne Foussier, Mathilde Rieux-Laucat, Léa Guyonnet, Sylvie Rabot, and Christian vosshenrich, detailed their work in a paper available via DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66854-x.
The press release from Inserm and Institut Curie, embargoed until 11:00 a.m.CET on December 2, 2025, highlights the potential of cabbage as an “essential ally” in immunotherapy. Further research will focus on optimizing dietary recommendations and understanding the specific compounds within cabbage responsible for AHR activation.
