21 Participants Needed

Ketogenic Diet + Radiation & Chemotherapy for Glioblastoma

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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Enrolled subjects will be placed on a 16-week ketogenic diet (subject specific as prescribed by RD) while receiving standard of care cancer treatment (Radiation + Temozolomide). Study dietitians will create personalized meal plans for each patient with the goal of achieving and maintaining protocol defined metabolic ketosis. Subjects will be monitored for safety, nutrition, quality of life, and standard of care tumor assessments over the course of the study.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, patients on low and managed doses of steroids are allowed, and those on high doses are excluded. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial team.

Is the combination of a ketogenic diet, radiation, and temozolomide safe for treating glioblastoma?

Temozolomide, when used with radiation, is generally considered safe but can cause blood-related side effects like myelosuppression (reduced bone marrow activity) and, rarely, more severe conditions like aplastic anemia. These side effects are uncommon, but they can lead to treatment delays or discontinuation.12345

What makes the ketogenic diet combined with radiation and chemotherapy unique for treating glioblastoma?

This treatment is unique because it combines a ketogenic diet, which lowers blood sugar and increases ketones, with standard radiation and chemotherapy. The ketogenic diet may help improve outcomes by targeting the energy metabolism of brain tumors, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of traditional treatments.678910

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Temozolomide when used with radiation for treating glioblastoma?

Research shows that Temozolomide, when used with radiation, improves survival in glioblastoma patients. In one study, the two-year survival rate was 26.5% with Temozolomide and radiation, compared to 10.4% with radiation alone.411121314

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jethro L. Hu, MD | Cedars-Sinai

Jethro Hu, MD

Principal Investigator

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Adults over 18 with newly diagnosed glioblastoma can join this trial if they're being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or elsewhere for chemotherapy/radiation. They must be able to follow a ketogenic diet, have a BMI of ≥22, and be on low doses of steroids. Excluded are those with certain medical conditions, high steroid doses, vegan/vegetarian diets, allergies to specific materials used in the study tools, and incompatible implants.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with glioblastoma recently and have not started post-radiation chemotherapy.
I am taking a low dose of steroids, no more than 8 mg of dexamethasone or its equivalent.
I am being treated for glioblastoma at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients whose most recent renal function test does not meet Cedars-Sinai Medical center standard of care MRI contrast protocol requirements (glomerular filtration rate <45ml/min).
Inability to adhere to the protocol
Patients with history of allergic reactions to surgical steel or elastomer/rubber are excluded from the activity monitor portion of the study. Because the activity monitor uses a Bluetooth low energy Transceiver, individuals using pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, neuro-stimulation devices, cochlear implants, hearing aids, or other electronic medical equipment should also be excluded from wearing the activity monitor. They can still use the Aria scale to record weight.
See 14 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 16-week ketogenic diet in combination with standard-of-care radiation and temozolomide

16 weeks
Regular visits for monitoring and diet adjustment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety, nutrition, quality of life, and tumor assessments after treatment

4 weeks

Long-term follow-up

Participants are monitored for overall survival and time-to-progression

60 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Ketogenic Diet
  • Standard-of-care radiation
  • Temozolomide
Trial Overview The trial tests how well patients with glioblastoma respond to a personalized 16-week ketogenic diet while undergoing standard cancer treatments like radiation and Temozolomide. Dietitians will tailor meal plans aiming for metabolic ketosis. Patient safety, nutrition levels, life quality, and tumor response are monitored throughout.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Ketogenic diet+radiation+temozolomideExperimental Treatment3 Interventions

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Jethro Hu

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1
Recruited
20+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the only anticancer drug proven to improve survival in glioblastoma when used with radiotherapy, showing high concentrations in brain tumors and cerebrospinal fluid, which enhances its effectiveness.
Molecular markers like MGMT promoter methylation can predict better responses to TMZ treatment, but side effects such as myelosuppression and nausea are common, necessitating precautions like prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
[Temozolomide: Temodal].Shinoura, N., Yamada, R., Tabei, Y., et al.[2018]
Carmustine wafers (Gliadel) and temozolomide (Temodal) have been approved for treating glioblastoma, with temozolomide showing a median survival benefit of 2 months when used with radiotherapy, and a two-year survival rate of 26.5% compared to 10.4% with radiotherapy alone.
In patients who undergo complete tumor resection, the two-year survival rate can reach 38%, highlighting the potential effectiveness of these treatments in younger patients with good performance status.
[What type of adjuvant chemotherapy should be proposed for the initial treatment of glioblastoma?].Ducray, F., Honnorat, J.[2018]
Temozolomide is primarily used for treating refractory central nervous system cancers like anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma, but ongoing clinical trials are exploring its efficacy and safety in newly diagnosed gliomas and other types of tumors.
Research is also investigating different dosing schedules and combinations with other treatments, suggesting that temozolomide could be a versatile option in cancer therapy beyond its current approved uses.
Future directions for temozolomide therapy.Yung, WK.[2019]

Citations

[Temozolomide: Temodal]. [2018]
[What type of adjuvant chemotherapy should be proposed for the initial treatment of glioblastoma?]. [2018]
Future directions for temozolomide therapy. [2019]
Temozolomide and radiotherapy as first-line treatment of high-grade gliomas. [2022]
A population-based study on the effect of temozolomide in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. [2022]
Clinical and Genetic Factors Associated With Severe Hematological Toxicity in Glioblastoma Patients During Radiation Plus Temozolomide Treatment: A Prospective Study. [2018]
Temozolomide in radio-chemotherapy combined treatment for newly-diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme: phase II clinical trial. [2018]
Temozolomide-induced aplastic anaemia: Case report and review of the literature. [2022]
A Case of Therapy-Related Acute Myeloid Leukemia Associated with Adjuvant Temozolomide Chemotherapy for Anaplastic Astrocytoma. [2018]
Metabolic management of glioblastoma multiforme using standard therapy together with a restricted ketogenic diet: Case Report. [2023]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Targeting metabolism with a ketogenic diet during the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. [2022]
Long Term Survivals in Aggressive Primary Brain Malignancies Treated With an Adjuvant Ketogenic Diet. [2023]
Effects of the Ketogenic Diet in the Treatment of Gliomas: A Systematic Review. [2022]
Treatment of malignant gliomas with ketogenic or caloric restricted diets: A systematic review of preclinical and early clinical studies. [2022]
Unbiased ResultsWe believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your DataWe only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
Terms of Service·Privacy Policy·Cookies·Security