Could a ketogenic diet help fight brain tumors?

NCT ID NCT01535911

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Michigan State University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study tests whether an energy-restricted ketogenic diet (ERKD) can help control glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Sixteen adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma will follow the diet while receiving standard radiation and chemotherapy. The goal is to see if the diet can shrink tumors or stop them from growing, and to learn about any side effects.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: energy-restricted ketogenic diet
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a dietary approach to help control glioblastoma growth alongside standard treatments.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 16 people, so results may not apply widely. The diet is strict and may be hard to follow, and it's unclear if it will actually shrink tumors or improve survival.

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.

brain cancer glioblastoma glioma susceptibility 1

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

GLIOBLASTOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Michigan State University/Sparrow Hospital

East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, United States

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