A national, phase II clinical trial called Diet2Treat is exploring the possibility that a ketogenic diet could improve overall survival for people with glioblastoma, a fast-growing, incurable brain tumor. The trial is open to eligible patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma who have not yet started treatment. Researchers are evaluating whether or not the ketogenic diet could suppress tumor growth, delay the time to tumor recurrence and help people live longer, while maintaining quality of life.
The ketogenic diet increases dietary fat and protein intake, while reducing (though not eliminating) carbohydrates. The body makes ketones when it uses fat as an energy source instead of carbohydrates.
“We know carbohydrates provide fuel for cancer cells,” said Jennifer Connelly, MD, neuro-oncologist, MCW faculty member and local principal investigator. “When people on the ketogenic diet restrict carbohydrate consumption, their healthy brain cells can use ketones for energy. But studies suggest cancer cells don’t have that ability.”
Trial participants still receive standard treatment for glioblastoma, which includes radiation therapy and oral chemotherapy. During treatment, they follow one of the two diet plans for 20 weeks.
One group eats a well-balanced diet recommended by the American Cancer Society, while the other follows the ketogenic diet. Participants meet with a dietitian to learn how to follow their assigned diet.
Each person in the study receives a fitness tracker to monitor physical activity levels and a scale to record their weight. Those on the ketogenic diet also receive a monitor to check daily blood sugar and ketone levels.
Dr. Connelly hopes the trial will give patients a new way to influence their outcomes that does not add medications to their treatment plan.
“Many trials in the past 25 years have looked at changing the trajectory of glioblastoma,” Dr. Connelly said. “There have been small successes, but none has made a significant impact. The Diet2Treat trial may enable patients to take control and modify their lifestyle in a way that could influence the outcome of their disease.”
In Wisconsin, the Diet2Treat clinical trial is currently offered only through the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Network.
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