Alternate Day Fasting After Surgery for Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Launched by NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · Aug 4, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring the effects of alternate day fasting on women who are undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian and endometrial cancers. Researchers want to see if this fasting approach can help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve the quality of life for patients. Since chemotherapy can be tough on patients, they are looking for ways to lessen its impact and make treatment more manageable.

To participate, you need to be a woman aged 18 or older with confirmed or suspected ovarian or endometrial cancer who is planning to start chemotherapy after surgery. You should also be able to speak and write in English, own a smartphone, and have internet access to complete surveys. Participants will follow a fasting diet and may need to track their ketone levels. If you meet these criteria and are interested, this study could provide valuable insights for future cancer treatments.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Female; ≥ 18 years of age
• • 2. Confirmed or high suspicion for endometrial, ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, and are able and expecting to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy following hysterectomy for treatment of disease, as determined by their treating physician
• • 3. Fluent in spoken and written English
• • 4. Own a smart phone
• • 5. Have access to the internet to complete surveys
• • 6. ECOG status of 0 or 1
• • 7. Willingness to sign informed consent form
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients who are not planning to undergo chemotherapy at Northwestern Medicine
• • 2. Patients engaged in shift work (i.e., those who work nights, 3rd shift)
• • 3. BMI of 50+ or those with a diagnosed eating disorder. Patients who take medications for blood glucose regulation (e.g. insulin), and/or require treatment with therapeutic doses of anticoagulants will be excluded.
• • 4. Patients who have been diagnosed with medication-dependent diabetes, recent myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolus, renal failure, or any condition that may preclude ability to tolerate a short-term fast will be excluded.
• • 5. Patients who take medications where conditions may be influenced in the presence of fasting (e.g. hypertension, electrolyte abnormalities, migraines) will be monitored by their treating physician for any necessary adjustments in these medications.
• • 6. Patients whose oncologist has not provided clearance for their participation
• • 7. Unable or unwilling to follow a diet regimen or participate in ketone measurements
• • 8. ECOG status greater than 1
• • 9. Patients who have undergone prior systemic therapy to treat a malignancy in the last 2 years.