CHEF Program for Childhood Cancer Survivors

(CHEF Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Rahela Aziz-Bose, MD

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Disqualifiers: Surgery only, Embassy-pay, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

17 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help families of childhood cancer survivors eat healthier to support long-term heart health. Participants receive kitchen equipment, weekly meal kits, grocery support, and guidance from benefits counselors. It targets children who have completed cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation, and have risk factors for heart issues, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Families experiencing food insecurity (difficulty accessing enough food) are also well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, it offers families the opportunity to improve heart health through practical support and resources.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the CHEF Intervention Program is safe for childhood cancer survivors?

Research has shown that cooking and nutrition programs for childhood cancer survivors, such as the CHEF Program, are safe. Participants have responded positively to these programs, which include activities like providing meal kits and kitchen tools, all without risk. The programs aim to teach families how to cook and eat healthier, promoting heart health without negative effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the CHEF Program because it offers a comprehensive lifestyle intervention specifically designed for childhood cancer survivors, focusing on improving their overall well-being and nutrition. Unlike existing options, which may not address daily life challenges, this program includes practical support like kitchen equipment delivery, weekly meal kits, and grocery gift cards. It also integrates personalized guidance through meetings with certified benefits counselors, aiming to empower survivors and their caregivers with sustainable, healthier living strategies.

What evidence suggests that the CHEF Intervention Program is effective for supporting heart health in childhood cancer survivors?

Studies have shown that the CHEF Program, offered to participants in this trial, includes advice on healthy eating and cooking classes to help childhood cancer survivors improve their eating habits. Better eating habits are important for supporting heart health, a common concern for those who have undergone cancer treatment. Research indicates that the program aims to lower the risk of heart disease, a frequent issue after chemotherapy. Early findings suggest that addressing food insecurity and providing resources like meal kits and grocery support can significantly aid childhood cancer survivors in maintaining long-term health. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Rahela Aziz-Bose, MD

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for childhood cancer survivors. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to be in a stable condition and have completed their cancer treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

Parent/guardian screened positive for food insecurity. Assessed through validated 2-item food insecurity screen.

My child has cancer and has been treated with chemotherapy or radiation.

My child is within 12 months post-chemotherapy or post-radiation treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

Foreign national family receiving cancer care as an embassy-pay patient.

I have only had surgery or been monitored for my cancer.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a baseline visit and survey, and meet with a certified benefits counselor

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Intervention

Participants receive kitchen equipment, weekly meal kit deliveries, monthly grocery support, and a second meeting with a benefits counselor

6 months

Weekly meal kit deliveries, monthly grocery support

Follow-up

Participants complete a final survey and interview with study staff to assess outcomes

1 week

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• CHEF Intervention Program

Trial Overview The CHEF Intervention Program is being tested. It's designed to help children who've survived cancer and their families learn how to prepare and eat heart-healthy meals.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CHEF Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Enrolled participants and caregivers will complete: * Baseline visit and survey * Meeting with a certified benefits counselor by phone or video teleconference * Kitchen equipment delivery * Weekly meal kit deliveries * Monthly grocery support via gift card * Second meeting with a certified benefits counselor * 3-month survey * Final survey and interview with study staff

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,128

Recruited

382,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Flint Kids Cook program, a 6-week chef-led initiative, effectively improved children's and adolescents' food acceptance, dietary habits, and cooking confidence, as reported by 72 participants in focus groups.

Key factors for the program's success included its location in a farmers' market kitchen and the involvement of an experienced chef, highlighting the importance of engaging environments and skilled facilitators in nutrition education.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Family Perceptions of a Cooking and Nutrition Program for Low-Income Children and Adolescents. Saxe-Custack, A., Goldsworthy, M., Lofton, HC., et al.[2021]

Nutritional status during cancer treatment significantly affects treatment-related toxicities and outcomes in children and adolescents, with lasting impacts into survivorship.

Many childhood cancer survivors do not meet recommended dietary guidelines, which may lead to negative nutrition-related health outcomes, highlighting the need for further research to inform clinical trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional Counseling in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: An Essential Component of Survivorship Care. Ladas, EJ.[2020]

A new dataset has been developed to standardize the follow-up of childhood cancer survivors, focusing on the late effects of pediatric oncology treatments, through collaboration among multiple medical institutions in the Netherlands.

The PLEKsys computerized documentation system will be implemented across all Dutch pediatric oncology centers to facilitate the collection and evaluation of data on late effects, supporting the establishment of a National Pediatric Oncology Follow-up Registry.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The development of a new information model for a pediatric cancer registry on late treatment sequelae in The Netherlands. Jaspers, MW., Caron, H., Behrendt, H., et al.[2004]

The NOURISH-T+ intervention aims to address the high rates of overweight and obesity among pediatric cancer survivors by providing a comprehensive 6-session program for parents, which includes dietary guidance and physical activity support, targeting children aged 5-12 who are at least 6 months off treatment.

This larger randomized control trial will involve 260 parent-child pairs from four pediatric oncology clinics, assessing the intervention's effectiveness on children's BMI, physical activity, and dietary behaviors over 12 months, compared to a standard care approach.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A cluster-randomized control trial targeting parents of pediatric cancer survivors with obesity: Rationale and study protocol of NOURISH-T. Stern, M., Gray, HL., Ruble, K., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39754703/

Development and refinement of the Cardiovascular Health ... The aim of this study was to develop and refine Cardiovascular Health Equity through Food (CHEF), an intervention to address food insecurity (FI) in early ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/chef-program-for-childhood-cancer-survivors-7fa16

CHEF Program for Childhood Cancer Survivors (CHEF Trial) Research shows that nutritional counseling and cooking workshops can help childhood cancer survivors improve their eating habits, which is important because ...

3. walther.org walther.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250509-0198.01-ASCO-CDASummary-Aziz-Bose.pdf

Profile Page The proposed study will lay the groundwork for randomized intervention efficacy testing to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable childhood cancer ...

4. physicianresources.dana-farber.org physicianresources.dana-farber.org/news/a-vision-for-health-equity-in-childhood-cancer

A Vision for Health Equity in Childhood Cancer CHEF aims to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, a complication of chemotherapy treatment that is the second leading cause of death for ...

5. careacross.com careacross.com/clinical-trials/trial/NCT06609473

Proof-of-Concept Testing of the Cardiovascular Health ... This is a proof-of-concept study to test the CHEF intervention by utilizing survey, interview, and medical record data from participants with cancer.

6. jandonline.org jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(24)00090-X/fulltext

A Scoping Review of Group Nutrition Education ... Many programs were developed with cancer survivors, dietitians or nutritionists, and researchers. No studies reported on sustainability of program ...

7. pilotfeasibilitystudies.biomedcentral.com pilotfeasibilitystudies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40814-025-01703-8

Culinary medicine for caregivers: protocol for a mixed ... We developed an 8-week culinary medicine intervention, including caregiver coaching, to support pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers.

8. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT06609473/proof-of-concept-testing-of-the-cardiovascular-health-equity-through-food-chef-intervention-in-childhood-cancer-survivors

Proof-of-Concept Testing of the Cardiovascular Health ... The goal of the Cardiovascular Health Equity Through Food (CHEF) program is to make it easier for participants and families to cook and eat ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07218328

NCT07218328 | Food is Medicine ... The goal of this research study is to learn if the FoodiiS-Kids intervention is useful to parents and guardians of pediatric cancer survivors.