'Obesity Paradox' Extends to Cancer Treatment, New Research Finds

Recent studies have highlighted an intriguing phenomenon known as the "obesity paradox," traditionally associated with cardiovascular health. While obesity is a recognized risk factor for heart disease, paradoxically, individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) have been found to have better survival rates in certain illnesses. Now, emerging research suggests that this paradox may also apply to cancer treatments.

A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University analyzed data from over 18,000 cancer patients documented in the TriNetX healthcare database. The focus was on survival outcomes following immunotherapy, a revolutionary cancer treatment that boosts the body's immune response. The findings revealed that obese patients tended to experience improved overall survival compared to those with a normal BMI.

Dr. Eric Mastrolonardo, the study's lead author and a resident at Jefferson Health, stated, "We observed that patients who were obese had better survival rates across multiple cancer types following immunotherapy." This pattern was significant across various solid tumors, suggesting a potential link between higher BMI and enhanced responsiveness to immunotherapy.

Senior researcher Dr. Joseph Curry pointed out that while the results are promising, the precise reasons behind this advantage are still unclear. Several theories exist, including the possibility that obesity might enhance immune reserves or nutritional status, or cause the increased expression of certain proteins that make immunotherapy more effective. Animal studies have supported some of these theories, but human data remains limited.

This research underscores the importance of understanding individual variations in cancer treatment responses. Better insights into why some patients respond more favorably could lead to advances in personalized medicine and improve the efficacy of immunotherapies. As Dr. Curry emphasizes, further translational research and clinical trials are essential to unlock these possibilities.

The findings contribute to a broader understanding of the complex interplay between body composition and treatment outcomes, highlighting that in certain contexts, obesity may offer unexpected benefits. But experts caution against generalizing this to overall health advice, as obesity remains a significant risk factor for many health issues.

For more detailed information, see the full study published in the journal Cancer: [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35799]. Source: Thomas Jefferson University.

[source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-obesity-paradox-cancer-treatment.html]