High Sucralose Intake May Lower Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer Patients: Study

Written By :  Dr Riya Dave
Medically Reviewed By :  Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli
Published On 2025-10-08 14:45 GMT   |   Update On 2025-10-08 14:46 GMT

Cancer

Advertisement

Research published in Cancer Discovery suggests that high consumption of the artificial sweetener sucralose may reduce the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer patients. The research revealed that sucralose disrupted the balance of the gut microbiota, inhibited T cell function and metabolism, and eventually dampened the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), i.e., anti-PD-1 based treatments. The study was published by Kristin M. and fellow researchers.

Advertisement

The study probed the way diet affects gut microbiota and downstream immune responses in preclinical models of cancer and advanced cancer patients treated with ICI. Although the gut microbiota is known to influence cancer immunity, the particular effect of non-nutritive sweeteners was uncertain. In this research, direct evidence was given that sucralose intake altered microbial composition and decreased the pool of microbiota-accessible arginine, an amino acid necessary for T cell function.

Key Findings

  • 1 shared sweetener (sucralose) profoundly changed gut microbiota composition.

  • T cell metabolism and function were limited under sucralose treatment.

  • Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy efficacy was decreased in preclinical cancer models and patients with advanced cancer.

  • Arginine levels available to the microbiota decreased following sucralose consumption.

  • Amino acid supplementation or fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) from responder mice fully restored T cell function and immunotherapy results.

The researchers isolated the biological process underlying sucralose's adverse effect. Sucralose changed microbial makeup within the gut, which then decreased the microbial pool of available arginine. Arginine is instrumental in T cell activation and metabolism. Without adequate arginine, T cells lost their functional abilities, restricting their capacity to develop effective immune responses against cancers. Restoring arginine levels—either by supplementation or microbiota transfer—restored normal T cell function and response to immunotherapy.

This research determined that sucralose intake destabilizes microbiota of the gut, decreases microbiota-accessible arginine, disrupts T cell metabolism, and eliminates response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Notably, resupplementation of amino acids or microbiota transfer from responder subjects negated the adverse effects. These findings emphasize the necessity of dietary consideration in cancer therapy, as an ubiquitous artificial sweetener could perilously undermine lifesaving immunotherapies.

Reference:

Morder, K. M., Nguyen, M., Wilfahrt, D. N., Dahmani, Z. L., Burr, A. B., Xie, B., Morikone, M., Nieves-Rosado, H., Gunn, W. G., Hurd, D. E., Wang, H., Mullett, S. J., Bossong, K., Gelhaus, S. L., Rajasundaram, D., Kane, L. P., Delgoffe, G. M., Das, J., Davar, D., & Overacre-Delgoffe, A. E. (2025). Sucralose consumption ablates cancer immunotherapy response through microbiome disruption. Cancer Discovery. https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-25-0247


Tags:    
Article Source : Cancer Discovery

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Similar News