Artificial Sweetener Could Impact Cancer Treatment
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, JUL 31 – High sucralose consumption disrupts gut bacteria that degrade arginine, essential for T cell function, reducing immunotherapy success in melanoma and lung cancer patients, study shows.
- A 2025 study conducted by researchers affiliated with Pittsburgh’s medical institutions revealed that sucralose consumption reduces the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.
- They found sucralose changed the gut microbiome, reducing arginine levels essential for T cell function, leading to poorer immunotherapy response in melanoma and lung cancer patients.
- Mouse models confirmed sucralose disrupted gut bacteria, impaired immunotherapy by lowering arginine, and tumors grew larger, but arginine supplementation restored treatment effectiveness.
- Participants who consumed lower amounts of sucralose experienced 5 to 11 months longer periods without cancer progression, and Overacre noted that even minimal sucralose intake correlated with poorer responses to immunotherapy.
- Researchers propose clinical trials testing arginine supplements and reducing sucralose in diets to improve outcomes, noting drastic diet changes may not be realistic for patients.
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UPMC research finds artificial sweetener may hinder cancer immunotherapy
A study from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center reveals that sucralose, a common artificial sweetener, may interfere with cancer immunotherapy by disrupting the gut microbiome.
Artificial sweetener could impact cancer treatment
Medical Watch Digest For July 31 Artificial sweetener could impact cancer treatment A new concern about artificial sweeteners. One type of artificial sweetener, sours the effects of cancer treatment. Sucralose alters the gut microbiome, making immunotherapy less potent. Immunotherapy kicks the body's own immune system into gear to fight cancer. University of Pittsburgh immunologists urge cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy to stop using art…
Artificial sweetener may undermine effectiveness of cancer treatment
Sucralose is a popular sugar substitute for people who are cutting calories or managing blood sugar levels, but new research by the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center suggests that the artificial sweetener may not be the best choice for patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy.


Common artificial sweetener may interfere with cancer treatments
People who consume some artificial sweeteners are less likely to respond to certain cancer therapies, potentially because of the impact on their gut microbiome
Sucralose artificial sweetener could make cancer treatment less effective
Sucralose is a popular sugar substitute for people who are cutting calories or managing blood sugar levels, but new research by the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center suggests that the artificial sweetener may not be the best choice for patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy.
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