High-Fiber Plant-Based Diet May Delay Progression to Multiple Myeloma: MSK Study

New Delhi: A clinical trial conducted by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has shown that a high-fiber, plant-based dietary intervention can delay progression to multiple myeloma, a rare and incurable blood cancer affecting the bone marrow.

None of the 20 participants in the study progressed to multiple myeloma within a year of enrolment, and two participants with signs of disease progression prior to the intervention showed significant improvement in their disease trajectory.

The study, known as NUTRIVENTION, enrolled individuals with a precancerous blood disorder and an elevated body mass index (BMI), both of which are risk factors for developing multiple myeloma.

Participants followed a 12-week regimen of high-fiber, plant-based meals, consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes, and received 24 weeks of dietary coaching. They were encouraged to consume as much whole plant-based food as desired.

The intervention led to an average weight loss of 8% within 12 weeks, significant improvements in quality of life, reduced inflammation, enhanced gut microbiome health, and decreased insulin resistance.

Dr. Urvi Shah, MSK myeloma specialist and lead investigator of the study, presented these findings at the 2024 American Society of Haematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Diego, California.

“This study showcases the power of nutrition—specifically a high-fiber, plant-based diet—and unlocks a better understanding of how it can lead to improvements in the microbiome and metabolism to build a stronger immune system,” said Dr. Shah. “These findings further support how we as physicians can empower patients, especially those with precancerous conditions, with knowledge on reducing their cancer risk through dietary changes.”

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, typically developing from precursor conditions such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smouldering myeloma.

Individuals with these conditions and an elevated BMI are twice as likely to progress to multiple myeloma compared to those with normal BMI. Poor diet quality and reduced intake of plant-based foods have also been linked to increased cancer risk, prompting researchers to explore dietary interventions as a preventive measure.

The findings were supported by a smouldering myeloma mouse model, where 44% of mice on a high-fiber diet did not progress to myeloma, compared to 100% progression in mice on a standard diet.

Encouraged by these results, Dr. Shah is now enrolling participants for a larger, multi-center trial called NUTRIVENTION-3, which will include 150 participants to further investigate the role of dietary changes in delaying cancer progression.

These results highlight the potential of diet-based interventions in reducing cancer risk and improving outcomes for individuals with precancerous conditions, offering a promising avenue for further research in cancer prevention.