Scientists have identified a link between histidine levels and cancer therapy success

The level of the amino acid histidine in blood plasma is a key factor determining the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with advanced forms of cancer. This was reported by the journal Nature Medicine.

Experts have found that a high concentration of histidine is a favorable prognostic sign of survival. At the same time, the presence of long-chain fatty acids and succinate in plasma indicates a possible resistance of the tumor to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study was conducted with patients from Europe and North America who underwent five different types of therapy, including fecal microbiota transplantation.

In the course of experiments on mice, it was proved that the addition of histidine enhances antitumor immunity. In the human body, this amino acid helps maintain the activity of T cells, preventing their metabolic depletion. However, the effectiveness of diets with a high histidine content directly depends on the state of the intestinal microflora.

Scientists have found that in dysbiosis, specific bacteria process histidine into imidazole propionate (ImP). High concentrations of this derivative in feces and blood are associated with poor survival. According to researchers, 60% of patients with advanced cancer have a microbiota disorder at the time of treatment initiation, which prevents the accumulation of beneficial histidine.

Biologists believe that intravenous administration of histidine as an adjunct to basic therapy may be an effective solution for patients with dysbiosis. This will circumvent the problem of microbial consumption of amino acids in the intestine. The researchers also noted that the prognosis is influenced by the patient's age, body mass index, and kidney function.

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