How reducing calorie intake can enhance the immune response against tumors

Dietary regulation of anti-tumor immunity through caloric restriction

NIH-funded research Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11045423

This study is looking at how eating fewer calories might help your immune system fight tumors better, especially by boosting certain immune cells that help control cancer growth.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVan Andel Research Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Grand Rapids, United States)
Project IDNIH-11045423 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how a diet with reduced calorie intake, known as caloric restriction, can influence the immune system's ability to fight tumors. By lowering calorie consumption by 30-50%, the study aims to understand how this dietary change affects immune cells, particularly CD8 T cells, which play a crucial role in controlling tumor growth. The researchers will explore the mechanisms by which caloric restriction enhances the effectiveness of these immune cells and reduces the presence of dysfunctional cells that hinder anti-tumor responses. The goal is to uncover new insights into how diet impacts cancer progression and immune function.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cancer who are interested in dietary interventions to support their treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who are not diagnosed with cancer or those who cannot adhere to dietary changes may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to dietary recommendations that enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using dietary interventions to enhance immune responses in cancer, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Grand Rapids, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer immunotherapyanticancer immunotherapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.