How T‑cells detect and destroy cancer cells, how immunotherapy strengthens them, and what lifestyle, nutrition, supplements, and repurposed medications may support healthy T‑cell function.

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Integrative Cancer Educator, Cancer Coach, Clinical Nutritionist, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer.

Why T‑Cells Matter More Than Ever in Cancer Defense

Over the last decade, T‑cells have become the centerpiece of modern cancer treatment. Immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T therapy, and cancer vaccines all work by activating or enhancing T cell function. This is because T‑cells are the immune system’s precision-guided assassins, capable of identifying and destroying cancer cells with extraordinary specificity.

A central review on T cells and cancer immunology emphasizes that T cells are the primary drivers of antitumor immunity, orchestrating both direct killing and broader immune coordination.[i] Without effective T‑ce...

Understanding what Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) is, how it interacts with galectin‑3 and cancer, what the research shows, and what patients should know about safety, interactions, and integrative oncology considerations.

What Is Modified Citrus Pectin?

Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is a form of pectin derived from the peel and pulp of citrus fruits. Unlike regular pectin—which is too large to be absorbed—MCP is processed into smaller, low‑molecular‑weight fragments that the body can absorb more easily.

MCP is rich in galactoside residues, which give it a unique ability to bind to certain proteins involved in cancer biology, especially galectin‑3.

How MCP May Influence Cancer Biology

Much of MCP’s anticancer interest comes from its ability to bind and block galectin‑3, a protein involved in:

• Tumor growth[i]
• cell adhesion
• metastasis[ii]
• angiogenesis
• immune evasion
• apoptosis resistance

Galectin‑3 is overexpressed in many cancers and is associated with more aggressive dis...