Yeast beta-glucan supplement strengthens anti-tumor immune responses in mice

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin found that feeding mice a yeast-based supplement containing beta-glucan reprogrammed early immune cells in the bone marrow, leading to stronger and longer-lasting attacks on colorectal, skin, and breast cancer cells. The effect was observed even in obese mice and persisted after weight loss. The study, published in Cell Reports, suggests a simple dietary supplement could help restore immune function compromised by obesity.

The study, led by Frederick Sheedy at Trinity College Dublin and Helen Roche at University College Dublin, marks the first time dietary delivery of yeast beta-glucan has been shown to trigger trained immunity through bone marrow stem cell reprogramming. Earlier experiments in this area relied on injections to achieve similar effects. First author Anna Ledwith and colleagues fed mice either standard or high-fat diets supplemented with the compound for four to twelve weeks before exposing them to colorectal, skin, and breast cancer cells. Notably, the protective immune effects remained visible even after obese mice shed weight, addressing a known clinical hurdle where obesity-related immune damage often lingers post-weight loss.