The Cancer-Autoimmune Connection: Insights for Nutrition Clinicians

This week, I attended an engaging NIH webinar on the intricate relationship between cancer and autoimmune diseases. It was part of their ScienceTALKS series, which brings together top-tier researchers to discuss cutting-edge science and identify opportunities to advance research. Three highly accomplished scientists shared insights into how these two conditions intersect:

• Dr. Ami Shah, M.D. discussed the connection between scleroderma and cancer.
• Dr. Maureen Su, M.D. covered insights related to type 1 diabetes.
• Dr. Ana Anderson, Ph.D. explored the interplay between multiple sclerosis and cancer.

These experts delved into scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease, illustrating how these autoimmune conditions are intertwined with cancer pathways. It was a fascinating look at the shared molecular mechanisms that both connect and differentiate these diseases, highlighting how inflammation and immune dysregulation play pivotal roles in their development.

One particularly striking insight was the role of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-17, and TGF-beta, as well as transcription factors like TCF7, in driving disease processes. These molecules not only shed light on how systemic inflammation propagates but also underscore the potential for targeted interventions at the molecular level. While the webinar did not explicitly center on epigenetics, many of the discussions touched on how cellular processes influenced by environmental exposures and immune responses can lead to epigenetic changes.

Key Insights

A two-way street: Cancer can lead to autoimmunity when the immune system’s response to tumors mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Conversely, autoimmune conditions can predispose individuals to cancer, often due to chronic inflammation, prolonged immune activation, or immunosuppressive therapies. The webinar also explored the role of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, IL-17, and TGF-beta, as well as TCF7, a molecule involved in immune system regulation and gene expression. These insights shed light on how inflammation acts as a critical driver of these interconnected diseases.

Not just ‘self-attack’: As one of my graduate school professors taught, autoimmunity is often less about the body attacking itself and more about the immune system reacting to something—whether it’s a pathogen, toxin, or tumor-derived signals like cytokines and interleukins.

The role of epigenetics: While epigenetics wasn’t a recurring term, the presentations highlighted how genetic factors like SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) interact with environmental exposures, immune dysregulation, and disease pathogenesis. These same factors influence epigenetic changes, underscoring how environment and lifestyle can shape disease risks.

Immunotherapy challenges: Advances in immunotherapies show promise but also bring challenges, particularly in managing autoimmune responses triggered by these treatments. This makes understanding these relationships even more critical for personalized care.

So, how can we contribute?

As nutritionists, we’re in a unique position to support clients in reducing their risk of these complex conditions. Reducing inflammation by addressing food triggers and inflammatory pathways is foundational to our work. Beyond this, we can guide clients in minimizing exposure to environmental toxins and supporting the body’s detoxification processes through dietary and supplemental strategies. Nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods, coupled with effective stress reduction, better sleep, and sustainable physical activity, can significantly improve the immune system’s resilience and help mitigate disease risk.

Our role also extends to advocating for healthy lifestyle changes, which not only empower our clients to take control of their health but also raise awareness about the influence of modifiable factors on disease outcomes. By addressing inflammation and strengthening the body’s natural defenses, we have the potential to impact these interconnected disease processes meaningfully.

Dive Deeper

For a very deep dive into the science behind three autoimmune conditions—scleroderma, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis—you can watch the webinar on-demand through our Event Finder listing, which now links to the NIH Past Events archive page. (Note: it may take a few days for the recording to be uploaded by the NIH.)