Melanoma patients receiving therapy that makes it easier for their immune system to kill cancer cells respond to treatment better when their diet is rich in fiber, according to a large, international research collaboration that includes the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy.The new study focuses on a therapeutic technique called immune checkpoint blockade, often referred to by its initials of ICB, which has revolutionized treatment of melanoma, and cancer in general.It has remained unclear whether dietary fiber intake and the use of commercially available probiotics affect immunotherapy response in cancer patients, Morgun said.In the human, observational cohort portion of the study, higher dietary fiber intake was associated with disease non-progression among patients on ICB; the most pronounced benefits were found in patients with strong dietary fiber intake and no probiotic use.To help make sense of microbiome complexity, Morgun and Natalia Shulzhenko of Oregon State's Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine earlier invented a computer modeling technique known as transkingdom network analysis."