Laura F. Mendez Luque,1,2 Julio Avelar-Barragan,3 Hellen Nguyen,1 Jenny Nguyen,1 Eli M. Soyfer,1 Jiarui Liu,1 Jane H. Chen,1 Nitya Mehrotra,1 Heidi E. Kosiorek,4 Amylou Dueck,4 Alexander Himstead,1 Elena Heide,1 Melinda Lem,1 Kenza El Alaoui,1 Eduard Mas Marin,1 Robyn M. Scherber,5 Ruben A. Mesa,6 Katrine L. Whiteson,3 Andrew Odegaard,1 and Angela G. Fleischman1
Abstract
Purpose:
Chronic inflammation is integral to Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN) pathogenesis. JAK inhibitors reduce cytokine levels, but not without significant side effects. Nutrition is a low-risk approach to reduce inflammation and ameliorate symptoms in MPN. We performed a randomized, parallel-arm study to determine the feasibility of an education-focused Mediterranean diet intervention among MPN patients.
Experimental Design:
We randomly assigned participants to either a Mediterranean diet or standard US Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA). Groups received equal but separate education with registered dietician counseling and written dietary resources. Patients were prospectively followed for feasibility, adherence, and symptom burden assessments. Biological samples were collected at four time points during the 15-week study to explore changes in inflammatory biomarkers and gut microbiome.
Results:
The Mediterranean diet was as easy to follow for MPN patients as the standard USDA diet. Over 80% of the patients in the Mediterranean diet group achieved a Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score of ≥8 throughout the entire active intervention period, whereas less than 50% of the USDA group achieved a score of ≥8 at any time point. Improvement in symptom burden was observed in both diet groups. No significant changes were observed in inflammatory cytokines. The diversity and composition of the gut microbiome remained stable throughout the duration of the intervention.
Conclusions:
With dietician counseling and written education MPN patients can adhere to a Mediterranean eating pattern. Diet interventions may be further developed as a component of MPN care, and potentially even be incorporated into the management of other chronic clonal hematologic conditions.