Popular Sweetener May Undermine Cancer Therapies

Gut Bacteria Disruption Linked to Reduced Treatment Efficacy

A common sugar substitute, sucralose, is raising concerns among researchers who believe it could significantly hinder the effectiveness of vital cancer treatments, particularly immunotherapy.

New Research Uncovers Potential Treatment Conflict

A study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre suggests that individuals consuming sucralose may experience poorer survival rates, especially those battling melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. The research indicates that the artificial sweetener might impede the body’s response to certain cancer therapies.

Sweetener Disrupts Gut Microbiome, Impairing Immune Cells

Testing in mice revealed that sucralose potentially disrupts the gut microbiome. This alteration leads to an increase in bacteria that degrade arginine, an amino acid crucial for immune function. The subsequent depletion of arginine levels impairs the ability of T cells to operate effectively.

“When arginine levels were depleted due to sucralose-driven shifts in the microbiome, T cells couldn’t function properly. As a result, immunotherapy wasn’t as effective in mice that were fed sucralose.”

—Dr. Abby Overacre, Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman

This disruption means immunotherapy, a cutting-edge cancer treatment, may not perform as well in individuals with sucralose in their diet.

Arginine Supplementation Offers Hope for Counteraction

Encouragingly, the study also identified a potential solution: arginine supplementation. In mouse models, supplements that boosted arginine levels effectively counteracted the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy. This finding opens a promising avenue for future human clinical trials.

The importance of finding practical solutions for patients is paramount. Dr. Abby Overacre highlighted the challenges of imposing drastic dietary changes on individuals already undergoing intensive cancer treatment.

“It’s easy to say, ‘Stop drinking diet soda,’ but when patients are being treated for cancer, they are already dealing with enough, so asking them to drastically alter their diet may not be realistic. We need to meet patients where they are. That’s why it’s so exciting that arginine supplementation could be a simple approach to counteract the negative effects of sucralose on immunotherapy.”

—Dr. Abby Overacre, Assistant Professor in the Department of Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman

While sucralose is a widely used ingredient in many low-calorie products, research in the UK in 2023 linked artificial sweeteners to a higher risk of certain cancers, though definitive conclusions on direct causation in humans remain under investigation (BBC News, 2023).