From Plate to Patient: Dietary Influences on Immunotherapy

What we eat—and how we live—may quietly shape how melanoma responds to treatment. In this talk, Diwakar Davar, MD, explores the growing evidence that diet, the microbiome, and lifestyle factors like exercise are not just background details, but active participants in cancer care. Over the past 15 years, immunotherapy has dramatically reduced melanoma death rates—yet not all patients benefit equally. This has led researchers to look beyond the tumor itself, toward host factors: the internal environment of the body, including the trillions of microbes that live within us. These “gut bugs,” as described in the talk, may influence how well treatments work, how the immune system responds, and ultimately, patient outcomes . From fiber intake to artificial sweeteners, from antibiotics to exercise, this session unpacks how everyday choices may either support or hinder treatment effectiveness. While the science is still evolving, the message is both practical and empowering: there are elements of care that remain within a patient’s control.