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Impact of dietary components on NK and Treg cell function for cancer prevention

Young S Kim1, Thomas J Sayers2, Nancy H Colburn2

  • 1Nutritional Science Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland.

Molecular Carcinogenesis
|April 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Dietary components can influence immune cells involved in cancer prevention. Understanding how nutrients affect natural killer (NK) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells may reduce cancer risk.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer cells evade immune surveillance by promoting regulatory T (Treg) cells, which inhibit cytotoxic immune cells like natural killer (NK) cells.
  • Tumor cells can suppress the immune system's ability to eliminate them, contributing to cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of dietary components in modulating the function of NK cells and Treg cells.
  • To explore how diet influences the interaction between NK cells and Treg cells for cancer prevention.
  • To highlight the importance of nutritional strategies in supporting immune balance against cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating dietary components and immune cell interactions.
  • Analysis of evidence on how specific nutrients affect NK cell activity and Treg cell function.
  • Synthesis of findings on the impact of diet on the NK cell-Treg cell axis in cancer.

Main Results:

  • Certain dietary components, including vitamins A, D, and E, mushroom extracts, fruit/vegetable polyphenols, and fish oil (n-3 fatty acids), can modulate NK and Treg cell activities.
  • Dietary factors can influence the accumulation and function of Treg cells at tumor sites.
  • Specific nutrients can enhance NK cell tumoricidal activity and balance Treg cell-mediated suppression.

Conclusions:

  • Diet plays a significant role in regulating the immune system's response to cancer.
  • Dietary interventions targeting NK cells and Treg cells hold potential for cancer prevention.
  • Further research into the interaction between diet and immune cells is crucial for developing effective cancer prevention strategies.
Keywords:
cancer preventiondietary componentsnatural killer cellsregulatory t cells

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