Two Free Changes That May Help Immunotherapy Work Better

The first question most people ask when starting immunotherapy is what to add. My first two answers have nothing to do with supplements. One is about the clock. The other is about the gut.

Checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and nivolumab do not attack the tumor directly. They release a brake on your T cells. That means the drug works only as well as the immune system it works through.

Ask for a morning infusion. Your immune system runs on a daily rhythm. Most of the data here come from appointment records, which have real flaws, but a large Veterans Affairs study found lung cancer patients whose first infusions were given before noon lived about two months longer. The benefit is probably modest. It is also free and carries no risk. Ask your infusion center for a standing morning preference, then let it go. Never delay a cycle to get a better time slot.

Protect the gut bacteria that train your immune system. In multiple studies, patients with certain gut bacteria responded better to immunotherapy, and antibiotics around the start of treatment were linked to worse outcomes. Akkermansia muciniphila keeps showing up in this research. Polyphenol-rich foods such as cranberries, grapes and pomegranate seem to support it. Strain-specific probiotics can play a role, but strain matters, and the wrong product can work against you. This is a conversation to have with someone who knows your treatment plan.

Neither of these replaces your oncologist's plan. Both are things I believe every patient on immunotherapy should know about.

Read the full piece, including the strains I use and why, on Integrative Oncology Insights.

If you are starting immunotherapy in Seattle or anywhere in Washington or Oregon, book a free 15-minute consult and let's build a plan that works alongside your oncology team.