How reducing calorie intake can enhance the immune response against tumors
Official title: Dietary regulation of anti-tumor immunity through caloric restriction
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11045423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $767,324 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA297713-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cancer who are interested in dietary interventions to support their treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with cancer or those who cannot adhere to dietary changes may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Russell — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Jones, Russell
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.