PRL3-zumab Immunotherapy and Immunonutrition: A New Opportunity for Integrative Breast Cancer Therapy
Combining immunotherapy, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions to enhance immune response and treatment tolerance in breast cancer patients
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New Challenges and the Need for Breakthroughs in Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality (Sung et al., 2021). While early-stage breast cancer has a relatively high cure rate, treatment options for patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer remain limited. Even though immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) have shown promise in certain subtypes of breast cancer, overall response rates remain low, and there is still a significant unmet clinical need (Emens, 2018).
Against this backdrop, a novel therapy targeting intracellular tumor antigens, PRL3-zumab, has emerged, offering new hope for breast cancer patients.
PRL3-zumab: An Immunotherapy Targeting Intracellular Proteins
PRL3 (phosphatase of regenerating liver-3) is a phosphatase protein associated with cancer metastasis and is aberrantly expressed in multiple cancers, including breast cancer. Traditional antibody therapies struggle to target intracellular proteins; however, PRL3-zumab breaks this barrier by turning hidden intracellular antigens into therapeutic targets (Park et al., 2025).
Phase II clinical trials have shown that PRL3-zumab is well tolerated in patients with solid tumors, with some achieving significant tumor shrinkage and only mild side effects. This may provide a novel treatment option for patients with advanced breast cancer (Park et al., 2025).
The Importance of Immunonutrition in Breast Cancer
Breast cancer patients frequently suffer from immunosuppression, increased inflammation, and malnutrition due to treatment. Immunonutrition—a targeted nutritional approach—addresses these challenges through key nutrients such as L-arginine, glutamine, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides. These compounds modulate immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve outcomes (Arends et al., 2021).
Clinical studies have shown that breast cancer patients receiving immunonutrition experience lower postoperative infection rates and faster recovery (Zhang et al., 2019). Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids and natural compounds such as polyphenols help reduce chemotherapy-induced inflammation and fatigue, while also supporting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (De Cicco et al., 2021).
Potential Synergy Between PRL3-zumab and Immunonutrition
Improving the tumor microenvironment
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy often induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Immunonutrition reduces inflammation and promotes antioxidative defenses, thereby enhancing the immune response triggered by PRL3-zumab.
Supporting T-cell and NK-cell function
PRL3-zumab activates tumor-targeted immune responses, while L-arginine and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to boost T-cell and NK-cell activity, further strengthening antitumor immunity (Molfino et al., 2017).
Enhancing treatment tolerance
Fatigue and malnutrition are common in breast cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy or chemotherapy. Immunonutrition supports protein synthesis and energy metabolism, helping patients better tolerate treatment and reducing the risk of therapy interruption.
整合療法的實務應用
| Domain | Recommended Strategy |
|---|---|
| Immunotherapy | PRL3-zumab, a next-generation intracellular protein target, may enhance efficacy when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. |
| Immunonutrition | It is recommended to supplement with nutrition formulas containing L-arginine, glutamine, and omega-3 fatty acids before and after treatment. |
| Dietary Pattern | Mediterranean diet or anti-inflammatory diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish. |
| Exercise | Combination of aerobic and resistance training to reduce treatment-related fatigue and improve immune function. |
| Psychological Support | Mindfulness meditation, music therapy, and support groups to reduce anxiety and improve immune response. |
Future Perspectives
Future breast cancer treatment is likely to move toward “immunotherapy + immunonutrition + multimodal integrative therapy.” If ongoing clinical trials confirm the efficacy of PRL3-zumab in breast cancer, it will form a complementary strategy alongside nutritional and lifestyle interventions, providing patients with better therapeutic experiences and improved long-term survival.
Conclusion
Breast cancer treatment is entering a convergence of immunotherapy and integrative medicine. PRL3-zumab transforms intracellular antigens into actionable therapeutic targets, while immunonutrition strengthens immune function and treatment tolerance. Combining these approaches—alongside exercise, diet, and psychological support—represents a new blueprint for integrative breast cancer therapy.
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References
- Arends, J., Bachmann, P., Baracos, V., et al. (2021). ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients. Clinical Nutrition, 40(5), 2898–2913.
- De Cicco, P., Catani, M. V., Gasperi, V., Sibilano, M., Quaglietta, M., & Savini, I. (2021). Nutrition and breast cancer: A literature review on prevention, treatment and recurrence. Nutrients, 13(11), 3889.
- Emens, L. A. (2018). Breast cancer immunotherapy: facts and hopes. Clinical Cancer Research, 24(3), 511–520.
- Molfino, A., Amabile, M. I., Monti, M., Arcieri, S., & Rossi Fanelli, F. (2017). Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in critical illness: anti-inflammatory, proresolving, or both? Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017, 5987082.
- Park, D. J., Ong, C. T., Ng, C. H., … Ong, S. T. (2025). Targeting intracellular oncoprotein PRL3 with PRL3-zumab: A phase 2 clinical trial. Cell Reports Medicine, 6(4), 100975.
- Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209–249.
- Zhang, X., Liang, X., Yan, Y., et al. (2019). The role of perioperative immunonutrition in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition, 38(1), 260–266.