Meiji Holdings Reveals Potential of Yogurt in Enhancing Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer Patients
Research findings from a collaborative effort between Saitama Medical University and Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. have unveiled exciting insights regarding the role of yogurt enriched with a specific bacterial metabolite in improving the efficacy of immunotherapy for patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study has gained considerable attention since it was presented at the esteemed American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting held in San Diego, California in April 2026.
The study centered around the consumption of yogurt containing the exopolysaccharide R-1 EPS, which is produced by the proprietary strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 developed by Meiji. This yogurt was provided to participants during their treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a class of drugs that work by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. Notably, NSCLC constitutes approximately 80-85% of lung cancer cases globally.
Historically, the response rates to ICIs have been relatively low, ranging from 20-30%. Thus, there has been significant interest in identifying ways to enhance these therapeutic responses through dietary modifications, particularly by modulating the gut microbiome with beneficial probiotics. The findings from this joint study suggest that daily intake of the R-1 EPS yogurt correlated with improved outcomes in NSCLC patients receiving ICIs.
The analysis included 91 NSCLC patients who consumed the yogurt daily for a period of four weeks while undergoing standard therapies. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and after treatment to assess immunological changes, particularly focusing on levels of Th7R immune cells, which have been associated with positive clinical outcomes following immunotherapy. The results indicated that those who incorporated the R-1 EPS yogurt into their diet not only maintained higher levels of Th7R cells but also exhibited a tendency toward improved objective response rates (ORR) and disease control rates (DCR).
In patients treated with pembrolizumab, the data suggested a significant association between yogurt intake and the enhancement of cancer-fighting GZMB⁺ CD8⁺ T cells, further indicating a bolstered anti-tumor immune response. Among those receiving a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab, the results showed an ORR of 43.3% compared to historical data, with a DCR of 73.3%. Furthermore, in the high PD-L1 expression subset, patients experienced an ORR of 58.3%, reflecting a significant improvement compared to historical control.
The outcomes were particularly striking among patients undergoing neoadjuvant treatment; nine out of ten patients achieved a remarkable 100% response rate. This simple dietary approach, therefore, not only seems to bolster response rates but also could play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of modern immunotherapy protocols for lung cancer.
Looking ahead, Meiji Holdings envisions leveraging these research findings to create impactful wellness-oriented products. With the ongoing development of R-1 EPS in powder form, the company aims to explore broader applications across various nutritional and healthcare settings. Additionally, the establishment of partnerships within the medical food and pharmaceutical industries is in progress to facilitate the distribution of R-1 EPS and broaden its availability for patients worldwide.
Dr. Kawanabe-Matsuda, a principal scientist at Meiji Holdings, articulated the ambition to utilize a gut-oriented approach in therapeutic strategies: "These findings support our concept that a gut-oriented approach using R–1 EPS improves the distal tumor immune microenvironment, enhancing the efficacy of ICIs. The Meiji Group is advancing plans to bring this adjunctive treatment to patients."
As the study continues to enroll patients and gather data, it underscores the potential for merging food science with pharmaceuticals to aid cancer treatments and optimize patient outcomes, all while contributing to the overarching goal of extending healthy life expectancy.
The study centered around the consumption of yogurt containing the exopolysaccharide R-1 EPS, which is produced by the proprietary strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 developed by Meiji. This yogurt was provided to participants during their treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a class of drugs that work by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. Notably, NSCLC constitutes approximately 80-85% of lung cancer cases globally.
Historically, the response rates to ICIs have been relatively low, ranging from 20-30%. Thus, there has been significant interest in identifying ways to enhance these therapeutic responses through dietary modifications, particularly by modulating the gut microbiome with beneficial probiotics. The findings from this joint study suggest that daily intake of the R-1 EPS yogurt correlated with improved outcomes in NSCLC patients receiving ICIs.
The analysis included 91 NSCLC patients who consumed the yogurt daily for a period of four weeks while undergoing standard therapies. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and after treatment to assess immunological changes, particularly focusing on levels of Th7R immune cells, which have been associated with positive clinical outcomes following immunotherapy. The results indicated that those who incorporated the R-1 EPS yogurt into their diet not only maintained higher levels of Th7R cells but also exhibited a tendency toward improved objective response rates (ORR) and disease control rates (DCR).
In patients treated with pembrolizumab, the data suggested a significant association between yogurt intake and the enhancement of cancer-fighting GZMB⁺ CD8⁺ T cells, further indicating a bolstered anti-tumor immune response. Among those receiving a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab, the results showed an ORR of 43.3% compared to historical data, with a DCR of 73.3%. Furthermore, in the high PD-L1 expression subset, patients experienced an ORR of 58.3%, reflecting a significant improvement compared to historical control.
The outcomes were particularly striking among patients undergoing neoadjuvant treatment; nine out of ten patients achieved a remarkable 100% response rate. This simple dietary approach, therefore, not only seems to bolster response rates but also could play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of modern immunotherapy protocols for lung cancer.
Looking ahead, Meiji Holdings envisions leveraging these research findings to create impactful wellness-oriented products. With the ongoing development of R-1 EPS in powder form, the company aims to explore broader applications across various nutritional and healthcare settings. Additionally, the establishment of partnerships within the medical food and pharmaceutical industries is in progress to facilitate the distribution of R-1 EPS and broaden its availability for patients worldwide.
Dr. Kawanabe-Matsuda, a principal scientist at Meiji Holdings, articulated the ambition to utilize a gut-oriented approach in therapeutic strategies: "These findings support our concept that a gut-oriented approach using R–1 EPS improves the distal tumor immune microenvironment, enhancing the efficacy of ICIs. The Meiji Group is advancing plans to bring this adjunctive treatment to patients."
As the study continues to enroll patients and gather data, it underscores the potential for merging food science with pharmaceuticals to aid cancer treatments and optimize patient outcomes, all while contributing to the overarching goal of extending healthy life expectancy.
Topics Health）
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