Health
Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer
Last Updated on September 13, 2025 by Rod Washington
Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer
Newswise — Trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), a long-chain fatty acid found in meat and dairy products from grazing animals such as cows and sheep, improves the ability of CD8+ T cells to infiltrate tumors and kill cancer cells, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Chicago.
The research, published this week in Nature, also shows that patients with higher levels of TVA circulating in the blood responded better to immunotherapy, suggesting that it could have potential as a nutritional supplement to complement clinical treatments for cancer.
“There are many studies trying to decipher the link between diet and human health, and it’s very difficult to understand the underlying mechanisms because of the wide variety of foods people eat. But if we focus on just the nutrients and metabolites derived from food, we begin to see how they influence physiology and pathology,” said Jing Chen, PhD, the Janet Davison Rowley Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine at UChicago and one of the senior authors of the new study. “By focusing on nutrients that can activate T cell responses, we found one that actually enhances anti-tumor immunity by activating an important immune pathway.”
Finding nutrients that activate immune cells
Chen’s lab focuses on understanding how metabolites, nutrients and other molecules circulating in the blood influence the development of cancer and response to cancer treatments. For the new study, two postdoctoral fellows, Hao Fan, PhD and Siyuan Xia, PhD, both co-first authors, started with a database of around 700 known metabolites that come from food and assembled a “blood nutrient” compound library consisting of 235 bioactive molecules derived from nutrients. They screened the compounds in this new library for their ability to influence anti-tumor immunity by activating CD8+ T cells, a group of immune cells critical for killing cancerous or virally infected cells.
After the scientists evaluated the top six candidates in both human and mouse cells, they saw that TVA performed the best. TVA is the most abundant trans fatty acid present in human milk, but the body cannot produce it on its own. Only about 20% of TVA is broken down into other byproducts, leaving 80% circulating in the blood. “That means there must be something else it does, so we started working on it more,” Chen said.
The researchers then conducted a series of experiments with cells and mouse models of diverse tumor types. Feeding mice a diet enriched with TVA significantly reduced the tumor growth potential of melanoma and colon cancer cells compared to mice fed a control diet. The TVA diet also enhanced the ability of CD8+ T cells to infiltrate tumors.
The team also performed a series of molecular and genetic analyses to understand how TVA was affecting the T cells. These included a new technique for monitoring transcription of single-stranded DNA called kethoxal-assisted single-stranded DNA sequencing, or KAS-seq, developed by Chuan He, PhD, the John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry at UChicago and another senior author of the study. These additional assays, done by both the Chen and He labs, showed that TVA inactivates a receptor on the cell surface called GPR43 which is usually activated by short-chain fatty acids often produced by gut microbiota. TVA overpowers these short-chain fatty acids and activates a cellular signaling process known as the CREB pathway, which is involved in a variety of functions including cellular growth, survival, and differentiation. The team also showed that mouse models where the GPR43 receptor was exclusively removed from CD8+ T cells also lacked their improved tumor fighting ability.
Finally, the team also worked with Justin Kline, MD, Professor of Medicine at UChicago, to analyze blood samples taken from patients undergoing CAR-T cell immunotherapy treatment for lymphoma. They saw that patients with higher levels of TVA tended to respond to treatment better than those with lower levels. They also tested cell lines from leukemia by working with Wendy Stock, MD, the Anjuli Seth Nayak Professor of Medicine, and saw that TVA enhanced the ability of an immunotherapy drug to kill leukemia cells.
Focus on the nutrients, not the food
The study suggests that TVA could be used as a dietary supplement to help various T cell-based cancer treatments, although Chen points out that it is important to determine the optimized amount of the nutrient itself, not the food source. There is a growing body of evidence about the detrimental health effects of consuming too much red meat and dairy, so this study shouldn’t be taken as an excuse to eat more cheeseburgers and pizza; rather, it indicates that nutrient supplements such as TVA could be used to promote T cell activity. Chen thinks there may be other nutrients that can do the same.
“There is early data showing that other fatty acids from plants signal through a similar receptor, so we believe there is a high possibility that nutrients from plants can do the same thing by activating the CREB pathway as well,” he said.
The new research also highlights the promise of this “metabolomic” approach to understanding how the building blocks of diet affect our health. Chen said his team hopes to build a comprehensive library of nutrients circulating in the blood to understand their impact on immunity and other biological processes like aging.
“After millions of years of evolution, there are only a couple hundred metabolites derived from food that end up circulating in the blood, so that means they could have some importance in our biology,” Chen said. “To see that a single nutrient like TVA has a very targeted mechanism on a targeted immune cell type, with a very profound physiological response at the whole organism level—I find that really amazing and intriguing.”
The study, “Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumor immunity,” was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants CA140515, CA174786, CA276568, 1375 HG006827, K99ES034084), a UChicago Biological Sciences Division Pilot Project Award, the Ludwig Center at UChicago, the Sigal Fellowship in Immuno-oncology, the Margaret E. Early Medical Research Trust, the AASLD Foundation a Harborview Foundation Gift Fund, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Source: University of Chicago Medical Center
Child Health
Pediatric Cancer Goes Beyond a Victory Bell: How Research and Innovation Improve Survivorship Rates
(Feature Impact) For every tear-jerking video found online of a child ringing a bell that signifies a cancer journey victory, there are dozens, if not more, people working behind the scenes. From leading minds in cancer research to doctors, nurses and support staff, a vast network of people and decades of medical advancements make those moments possible.
In fact, in the last 10 years, the FDA approved 10 new immunotherapies and 20 molecularly targeted therapies to treat pediatric cancers, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. Those breakthroughs – and the children they impact – come with a cost, which is why Hyundai Hope on Wheels has served as a pioneer in increasing survival rates by investing $303 million in pediatric cancer research over nearly three decades.
Those funds have supported more than 1,600 grants to 210 institutions, leading to new insights into cancer biology, clinical trials and new drug development while bringing hope at all stages of a child’s cancer journey.
However, there remains work to be accomplished. According to a survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of Hyundai Hope on Wheels, 46% of U.S. adults believe that a child ringing a hospital bell after cancer treatment signifies the child is cancer-free and their medical journey is largely over. The reality is more nuanced than that. In fact, more than one-third of respondents said they’re not familiar with the term cancer survivorship or they have heard the term but don’t fully understand what it means.
Many health care organizations define survivorship as beginning at the time of diagnosis and continuing through treatment and beyond. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, children who survive cancer face several long-term physical and psycho-social challenges due to their cancer and treatment, including planned surgeries, additional rounds of radiation or other forms of medical treatment to address common physical challenges stemming from chemotherapy.
Survival rates continue increasing with scientific and technological breakthroughs, up from 75% to 85% in nearly three decades, representing roughly 40,000 more children surviving their diagnoses. More than 3 in 4 U.S. adults are encouraged by that progress.
For survivors, treatment is just the beginning. Research, follow-up care and long-term funding determine what comes next, and every grant funded and every survivorship program backed means more children reaching adulthood.
According to the survey, more than 80% of adults said they’re more likely to support organizations that fund survivorship services, creating opportunities to fund crucial research and support for children facing pediatric cancer. Collaboration among leading minds, made possible by funding from organizations like Hyundai Hope on Wheels, has led to the development of comprehensive approaches to help children thrive during life after cancer, including enhanced medical records, AI integration, socioemotional support and combatting long-term side effects.
Find more information and ways you can join the fight by visiting HyundaiHopeOnWheels.org.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
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Food and Beverage
4 Daily Brain Health Habits for Better Cognition
Daily Brain Health Habits: Your brain works hard for you, so it’s only fair to return the favor by practicing simple everyday habits to keep this important organ strong and thriving. Start by tweaking your daily routine to focus on these four habits and eating nourishing recipes like California Grape and Sardine Avocado Toast.
4 Daily Brain Health Habits for Better Cognition
(Feature Impact) Your brain works hard for you, so it’s only fair to return the favor by practicing simple everyday habits to keep this important organ strong and thriving.
Start by tweaking your daily routine to focus on these four habits.
Prioritize Sleep
Getting quality sleep is vital for proper brain function. If you find you’ve slipped into the habit of staying up later than you should or notice your sleep being disrupted during the night, those are signs to revisit your sleep hygiene practices. Start by establishing a regular bedtime and wake-up time that will give you the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep. Turn your bedroom into a comfortable refuge from the world – keep it cool and dark, and set up fans or noise machines if you need them to quiet your mind. Avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol too close to bedtime and try switching to a book instead of a screen when it’s time to wind down.
Eat Smart
Just like the rest of the body, the brain is nourished by food. Some of its favorite foods are options rich in healthy fats like fish, avocado, olive oil and nuts, as well as vegetables like leafy greens, which offer carotenoids, and fruits such as grapes, which deliver antioxidants and other polyphenols.
Combine several of these powerful brain-boosting foods at once with this California Grape and Sardine Avocado Toast recipe. The fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the avocado offers a boost of healthy unsaturated fat, while the grapes add protective dietary flavonols, which may help promote anti-inflammatory and beneficial antioxidant activity.
A study published in the scientific journal “Neurology” found a higher intake of certain flavonols – including three naturally found in grapes – is associated with a 48% decreased risk of developing Alzheimer dementia.
Get Moving
Adding even more proof that what’s good for your body is good for your mind, getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. Motivate yourself by choosing a form of movement you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s a daily walk on a nearby nature trail, a dance class, a bike ride or a heart-pumping workout video.
Challenge Your Mind
Don’t forget to give your brain its own workout, too. Doing something mentally stimulating every day is a great way to keep yourself sharp, and there are plenty of ideas to choose from. Try learning a new language, picking up a musical instrument, playing a mind-engaging card or board game, doing a puzzle, reading a book or immersing yourself in a creative writing or art project. The options are nearly endless, and if you want to make your brain extra happy, you can snack on handfuls of grapes as you enjoy your hobby.
Learn more about the connection between grapes and brain health and discover more recipes by visiting GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
California Grape and Sardine Avocado Toast
Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 large firm, ripe avocado, halved and pitted
- 4 small slices rustic whole grain bread (1/2-inch thick), toasted or grilled
- 1 individual container sardines in olive oil or water, drained
- 1/2 cup quartered red and black Grapes from California
- Aleppo pepper flakes
- fresh cilantro, snipped
- 1 lemon half
- salt (optional)
- With spoon, scoop avocado out of skin and use fork to coarsely mash.
- Spread onto bread slices and top with whole or torn sardines. Sprinkle grapes over sardines.
- Top with generous sprinkle of Aleppo pepper, cilantro, squeeze of fresh lemon and salt, if desired.
Nutritional information per serving: 290 calories; 11 g protein; 29 g carbohydrates; 16 g fat (50% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (8% calories from saturated fat); 20 mg cholesterol; 210 mg sodium; 6g fiber.
SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission
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Health
Truth Initiative and NAACP Expand Partnership to Advance Health Equity and Increase Access to Proven Quit Resources
Health Equity
When we talk about health equity, we’re really talking about who gets the chance to live a longer, healthier life — and who has been systematically denied that chance. Tobacco and nicotine addiction remain a clear example of that imbalance, especially in Black communities and other historically marginalized groups.
That’s why Truth Initiative and the NAACP are expanding their partnership to increase access to proven quit support and to reframe nicotine cessation as something bigger than an individual choice. Their new phase of collaboration launches the Breath of Freedom Movement, powered by Truth Initiative and the NAACP — a community-centered effort that combines civil rights leadership with public health expertise.
A movement rooted in community and accountability
The Breath of Freedom Movement builds on the work of the Breath of Freedom coalition, an alliance led by Truth Initiative across Black-led organizations. The coalition’s mission has been to reclaim the narrative around tobacco use, confront the ways the industry has shaped that narrative, and connect people to support that respects culture, history, and lived experience.
This expansion arrives at a critical moment. According to the press release, approximately 45,000 Black Americans die each year from smoking-related illness. The burden is not accidental — it has been driven in large part by decades of targeted marketing of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products.
The release highlights another stark disparity: more than 80% of Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared with 43% of adult smokers overall. Menthol products are often described as easier to start and harder to quit, which makes access to culturally relevant cessation resources not just helpful, but essential.
Launching at the NAACP National Convention in Chicago
The Breath of Freedom Movement will officially launch at the NAACP National Convention, taking place July 18–22, 2026, in Chicago. The convention theme, “We, The People,” commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary and marks 100 years since Chicago first hosted the NAACP conference in 1926.
As part of the convention programming, Truth Initiative will debut the Rise Together EXperience: Culture, Community, and Nicotine-Free Lives — an immersive mobile exhibit designed to explore how tobacco use and industry marketing tactics have impacted Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ communities. The exhibit is also meant to connect people to quit support in a way that feels accessible and grounded in real community conversations.
What the expanded partnership will do
Truth Initiative and the NAACP say this partnership is designed to move beyond awareness and into action — action that’s rooted in community spaces where trust already exists. The expanded collaboration will focus on:
- Hosting culturally relevant presentations, community forums, workshops, and healing-centered discussions about the health consequences of smoking, vaping, and nicotine addiction, with a focus on disproportionate impacts.
- Advancing the Breath of Freedom mission by reframing nicotine cessation as an act of liberation and resistance to the tobacco industry’s exploitation of Black communities.
- Co-developing and distributing culturally relevant public health content, including toolkits, digital resources, and community-informed cessation materials.
- Promoting awareness of and access to proven quit resources — including Truth Initiative’s EX Program — in partnership with Black-led organizations, faith-based groups, LGBTQ+ advocates, and other culturally aligned stakeholders.
- Strengthening local, regional, and national outreach strategies that elevate community voices and mobilize grassroots support for nicotine prevention and cessation.
In the release, Dr. Chris T. Pernell, Director of the NAACP Center of Health Equity, underscored that health equity requires more than information — it requires accountability and community-rooted action that connects people with tools for healing and freedom from addiction.
Quitting as liberation — not just willpower
One of the most important shifts in this work is the language: quitting isn’t framed as a moral test or a matter of “just trying harder.” Instead, it’s positioned as a supported process — and as a way for communities to push back against systems that have profited from addiction.
As Dr. Dartis noted in the announcement, the tobacco industry has targeted Black communities for generations with products and marketing designed to drive nicotine addiction. The expanded partnership aims to meet people where they are — in trusted spaces, through meaningful conversations, and with resources that recognize culture and lived experience.
Bridging public health data and lived experience
The press release also notes that Dr. Dartis will be featured in an upcoming NAACP docuseries focused on bridging the gap between public health data and the lived experiences of Black men in America. The project will explore the systems, relationships, and environments that shape health outcomes, while highlighting resilience and calling for accountability from the systems meant to serve communities.
How to get free quit support
If you or someone you care about is ready to quit smoking, vaping, or other nicotine products, free support is available through Truth Initiative’s EX Program.
- Text JoinFreedom to 88709
- Visit exprogram.com
Local resources (Arizona)
If you’re in Arizona and want additional, local support, consider these options:
- Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (ASHLine): Call 1-800-55-66-222 or visit https://www.azdhs.gov/ashline/ for free quit coaching and support for Arizona residents.
- Arizona 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 (or visit 211arizona.org) to get connected to local health services, community programs, and support resources.
- Primary care clinics and community health centers: If you have a regular doctor or use a community clinic, ask about quit plans and nicotine replacement options. Many clinics can help you build a step-by-step approach and connect you to additional programs.
The takeaway
The Breath of Freedom Movement is a reminder that nicotine addiction doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s connected to policy, marketing, access to care, and the long history of unequal health outcomes in the United States. By combining community leadership with proven quit resources, Truth Initiative and the NAACP are working to ensure that communities most impacted by tobacco-related harm have the support they need to heal, quit, and thrive.
Credit: Truth Initiative. News provided by Truth Initiative via PRNewswire, July 17, 2026.
- Related Links
- https://www.exprogram.com (or exprogram.com)
- https://www.azdhs.gov/ashline/
- https://211arizona.org
💪 Your health journey starts here! Explore the latest health news, fitness tips, wellness trends, and healthy living advice. Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter to stay informed and inspired every day.
