In the development of cervical cancer (CC), the immune response plays an essential role, from the elimination of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection to the response against the tumor. For optimal function of the immune response, various factors are required, one of the most important being an adequate nutrition. The complex interaction between nutrients and microbiota maintains the immune system in homeostasis and in case of infection, it provides the ability to fight against pathogen invasion, as occurs in HPV infection. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of diet, food, and specific nutrients in the immune response from the onset of infection to progression to precancerous lesions and CC, as well as the role of diet and nutrition during oncological treatment. The immunomodulatory role of microbiota is also discussed. A detailed analysis of the evidence leads us to recommend a nutritional pattern very similar to the Mediterranean diet or the prudent diet for an optimal immune response. Moreover, pre-and probiotics favorably modulate the microbiota and induce preventive and therapeutic effects against cancer.
Objective: To assess if nutritional intervention with a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) decreases acute gastrointestinal toxicity induced by pelvic external beam radiotherapy in patients with gynecologic tumors. Material and methods: Single-center, randomized, prospective clinical trial comparing patients on a low-FODMAP diet vs. standard Mexican diet, designed to detect an 80% decrease in Grade 1-2 acute gastrointestinal toxicity in the standard diet group to 25% of Grade 1-2 acute gastrointestinal toxicity in the low-FODMAP diet group. Results: Thirteen patients were recruited per group, with higher gastrointestinal toxicity grade 1-2 (85 vs. 77%) and 3 (23 vs. 0%) being reported in the standard diet group with regard to the low-FODMAP diet (p = 0.16). The low-FODMAP diet group had a lower end of treatment symptom score in the cervical cancer patient quality of life questionnaire (1.41 vs. Nutritional intervention to reduce EBRT induced GI toxicity 85
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