Adiposity and cancer immunotherapy outcomes
How does adiposity relate to cancer immunotherapy outcomes, and can CT-derived fat measures clarify patterns that BMI-based analyses leave uncertain?
Following this evidence dossier helps readers see whether research is clarifying the reported relationship between body mass index and immunotherapy outcomes. It also tracks whether CT-derived adipose measures add useful evidence.
Where it stands now
Main bottleneck
Current evidence shows reviews of BMI and immunotherapy outcomes, followed by a planned synthesis focused on CT-derived adipose composition. The relationship remains unresolved in this record, and it is unclear whether measures beyond BMI can explain the reported obesity paradox.
Watch next
Verifiable results from the planned systematic review and meta-analysis of CT-derived adipose composition and immunotherapy outcomes.
Progress timeline
How the evidence has changed over time.
2025 · 1 update
- Does fat location on a CT scan matter during immune-based cancer treatment?Partly supportedSource date 2025-01-10
Since the previous research note · Partly supported
Track continuity
Since the previous research note: Why body size can relate to both melanoma growth and immune treatment response
Previous expectation: Body-composition measures might eventually give a more individual view of immunotherapy outcomes than starting body mass index alone.
What this study adds: A synthesis of 17 studies found that some CT-derived fat measures were associated with survival and progression outcomes, while other measures were not. It supports interest in body composition without establishing a better individual forecast.
Current research note
2024 · 1 update
- Why body size can relate to both melanoma growth and immune treatment responseSource date 2024-06-11
Since the previous research note · Earlier expectation not tested
Track continuity
Since the previous research note: Why did body size seem to matter differently during cancer immunotherapy?
Previous expectation: Validated body composition and nutritional changes might improve estimates of survival and side effects beyond starting BMI.
What this study adds: This melanoma-focused review brings together checkpoint-treatment associations and explains why muscle mass and changing weight may matter. It calls for longitudinal assessment but does not itself test the earlier forecast's prospective predictive condition.
Current research note
2021 · 1 update
- Why did body size seem to matter differently during cancer immunotherapy?Source date 2021-03-05
How this Track works
This page changes as new evidence arrives. Open any update to see what researchers found at that point in the story.