Fasting for science: could a 60-Hour water fast boost cancer treatment?
NCT ID NCT07216989
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 5 times
Summary
This study from the University of Minnesota is looking at what happens to your body when you fast for up to 60 hours, drinking only water. Researchers want to see if the changes in your blood can make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy in lab tests. Fifteen healthy adults will wear continuous glucose monitors and give blood samples to track metabolic and cell marker changes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- prolonged fasting (water only for up to 60 hours)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward new ways to use fasting to improve cancer treatment or manage insulin resistance.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early observational study with only 15 people. It looks at lab effects, not actual patient outcomes, so real-world benefits are uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
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