Journal of Shandong University (Health Sciences) ›› 2026, Vol. 64 ›› Issue (10): 79-87.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1671-7554.0.2026.1158

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Diet, gut microbiota and antitumor immunity

MI Ping1, LIANG Jinyuan1, LI Xinying1, XU Bowen2, YUAN Detian1   

  1. 1. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China;
    2. Advanced Medical Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China
  • Published:2026-10-10

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Abstract: The gut microbiota influences antitumor immunity and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors, while diet shapes microbial functions by altering nutrient availability and ecological niches. This review focused on microbial mechanisms associated with dietary fiber and amino acids, and on the effects of short-chain fatty acids, inosine, and bile acids on dendritic cells, T cells, and natural killer/natural killer T(NK/NKT)cells. Microbial antigens and innate immune signals were discussed as a complementary pathway. We distinguish studies establishing a diet-microbiota-immunity causal chain in animal models from those supporting only the microbiota- or metabolite-immunity link, and from observational associations in humans. High-fiber diets and selected amino acid interventions have relatively complete mechanistic support in animals, whereas studies of inosine, several bile acids, and microbial antigen cross-reactivity mainly establish downstream mechanisms and cannot directly demonstrate the antitumor effects of a specific diet. Across representative dietary interventions, we propose an integrated assessment of dietary substrates, microbial functions, metabolite production or nutrient consumption, spatial exposure, and target cells. Randomized dietary trials are needed to establish benefits during cancer immunotherapy.

Key words: Diet, Gut microbiota, Antitumor immunity, CD8+ T cells, Dendritic cells, Immune checkpoint inhibitors, Microbial metabolism

CLC Number: 

  • R730
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