Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission
Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.
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Treating T-Cell Exhaustion in Myeloma
Treating T-Cell Exhaustion in Myeloma is an ongoing, day-in, day-out effort. I say this because chemotherapy regimens have been shown to damage the MM patient’s gut microbiome. MM patients continually complain about diarrhea, constipation and fatigue. All symptoms of a damaged gut microbiome, according to the video linked below.
So the average MM patient undergoes chemo regimen after regimen, damaging their gut health. Gut health that the MM patient needs to enhance the efficacy of the chemotherapy they are taking while minimizing the side effects that chemo is exposing them to.
Gut Health Reset: How to Rebuild Your Microbiome Fast!
At this point, it’s important to mention that your oncologist may prescribe IVIG therapy to enhance your immune system. Though IVIG therapy has been shown to raise IgG levels, it has side effects and may not be covered by your health insurance.
I believe that the solution to enhancing chemo efficacy as well as minimizing side effects is to rebuild your gut health daily. Now, as soon as I write “rebuild your gut health daily” I remember undergoing chemo myself and not wanting to eat anything.
All I can say is to try to find foods listed below that can rebuild your gut health. My go-to food was to mix yogurt, nuts, fruits, etc, in a blender and drink it all down. Do your best…
Have you been diagnosed with MM? Are you having gastrointestinal issues? Scroll down the page, post a question or comment, and I will reply to you ASAP.
Hang in there.
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
The gut microbiota in cancer immunity and immunotherapy
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal tract harbors trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, to form the gut microbiota. Cumulative evidence has demonstrated the critical impact of gut microbes on cancer immunity.
In cancer, an altered gut microbiota enriched with pathogenic bacteria can actively promote immune evasion and disrupt antitumor immunity, thereby supporting tumor growth and survival.
Conversely, beneficial commensal bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) have emerged as therapeutic probiotics for cancer prevention and as adjuvants for cancer therapy. The gut microbiota is also closely linked to the efficacy of immunotherapy.
This review summarizes the effects of pathogenic bacteria and beneficial commensals, including:
- T cells,
- B cells,
- natural killer cells,
- innate lymphoid cells,
- and myeloid-derived suppress cells,
on various innate and adaptive immune cell populations in cancer. It also explores the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences immunotherapy efficacy, such as the modulation of innate immune cells and CD8+ T cells.
Given its importance, an increasing number of studies have developed approaches to target the gut microbiota to improve immunotherapy outcomes and reduce immune-related adverse events. These strategies include antimicrobial intervention, probiotics, prebiotics/dietary modifications, microbial metabolites, phage therapy, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This review also evaluates clinical applications that use the gut microbiota to predict immunotherapy outcomes. Overall, the current understanding of host‒microbe interactions within the tumor microenvironment has laid a critical foundation for the translation of microbiota research into clinical practice, ultimately benefiting patients…
The gut microbiota is now emerging as a critical determinant in cancer immunotherapy. An increasing number of studies have reported that these gut microbes not only influence immunotherapy efficacy but also yield the capacity to improve treatment outcomes [6,7,8,9].
For example, phase I-II clinical trials of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from ICB responders to nonresponders have shown that this approach can restore sensitivity to anti-PD-1 treatment in patients with MM [10, 11]. Similarly, another phase I trial reported that transferring stools from healthy donors achieves an improved response rate to PD-1 inhibitors in recipient patients with advanced MM [12]. Targeting the gut microbiota by FMT also alleviates adverse events associated with immunotherapy [13] (Table 1). Given its importance, current research has focused on developing gut microbiota-targeting therapeutic approaches [14, 15]. Nonetheless, the precise mechanisms of microbial interventions in cancer immunotherapy remain unclear. In this review, we explore the interplay and underlying mechanisms between the gut microbiota and immune cells in the TME and their translational implications for cancer immunotherapy.
Please describe a daily diet to enhance a myeloma patient’s gut microbiome.
Below is a guide to a daily diet designed to foster a healthy gut while managing myeloma-specific needs.
1. The Core Strategy: The “30 Plants” Goal
The most significant predictor of gut microbiome health is the variety of plants consumed. Aim for 30 different plant foods per week. This includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and even spices.
2. Sample Daily Menu
3. Key Components for the Microbiome
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Prebiotics (The “Fuel”): These are fibers your body cannot digest but your “good” bacteria love.
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Sources: Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, oats, and legumes (beans/lentils).
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Probiotics (The “Teammates”): Foods containing live beneficial bacteria.
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Sources: Kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, and kefir.
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Note: Consult your doctor before adding unpasteurized fermented foods, especially if you are on active chemotherapy or have a low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
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Butyrate Producers: Eating high-fiber foods helps bacteria produce butyrate, which is linked to better outcomes in myeloma patients undergoing stem cell transplants.
4. Important Considerations for Myeloma
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Kidney Health: If you have kidney involvement, your doctor may ask you to limit potassium (e.g., bananas, spinach) and phosphorus. Always check your recent lab results.
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Food Safety: Myeloma treatments can weaken the immune system.
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Wash all produce thoroughly.
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Avoid raw or undercooked meats, seafood, and eggs.
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Consider cooked vegetables instead of raw salads if your white blood cell count is very low.
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Hydration: High protein and calcium levels in myeloma can stress the kidneys. Drink plenty of water to help flush the system.
Treating T-Cell Exhaustion in Myeloma Treating T-Cell Exhaustion in Myeloma Treating T-Cell Exhaustion in Myeloma