Yogurt Containing Bacteria Metabolite Shows Potential to Enhance Lung Cancer Immunotherapy

Meiji Holdings' study finds higher immune cell response and better clinical outcomes when yogurt is added to checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 6:36am

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A minimalist, neon-outlined illustration of a human lung, the glowing lines and shapes suggesting the internal biological processes involved in lung cancer and the immune system's response to immunotherapy treatment.A simple dietary supplement may help boost the cancer-fighting power of immunotherapy for lung cancer patients.San Diego Today

A joint study by Saitama Medical University and Meiji Holdings found that people with non-small cell lung cancer who consumed yogurt containing a metabolite produced by Lactobacillus bulgaricus OLL1073R–1 showed higher levels of Th7R immune cells and better response rates when taking immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. The results were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting.

Why it matters

Improving the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are widely used to treat lung cancer but have response rates of only 20-30%, is a major focus in oncology research. This study suggests a simple dietary intervention using a probiotic-derived metabolite could help boost the body's immune response and enhance the benefits of these important cancer immunotherapies.

The details

The study involved 91 NSCLC patients across all treatment settings who consumed the R-1 EPS-containing yogurt daily for four weeks alongside their standard therapies. Researchers found the yogurt helped maintain higher levels of Th7R immune cells, which are linked to better responses to PD-1 inhibitors like pembrolizumab. In the combination ipilimumab/nivolumab group, the objective response rate was 43.3% versus 35.1% in historical controls. For pembrolizumab-treated patients with high PD-L1 expression, the ORR was 58.3% versus 39.5% historically.

  • The study results were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 held in San Diego, California.
  • The study will continue enrolling patients and complete the follow-up period before publishing the final results.

The players

Saitama Medical University

A university medical center that collaborated with Meiji Holdings on this study exploring the immune-boosting effects of a probiotic metabolite in lung cancer patients.

Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.

A Japanese conglomerate with businesses in both food and pharmaceuticals that developed the R-1 EPS probiotic metabolite used in the yogurt product tested in this study.

Juntendo University

A university that conducted preclinical studies demonstrating R-1 EPS can enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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What they’re saying

“These findings support our concept that a gut-oriented approach using R–1 EPS improves the distal tumor immune microenvironment and enhances the efficacy of ICIs.”

— Dr. Kawanabe-Matsuda, Principal Scientist in Wellness Science Labs, Meiji Holdings

What’s next

The study will continue enrolling patients and complete the follow-up period before publishing the final results.

The takeaway

This research demonstrates the potential for a simple dietary intervention using a probiotic-derived metabolite to boost the immune system and improve outcomes for lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy. If the final results confirm these promising interim findings, it could lead to new adjunctive treatment approaches that enhance the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors.