Can a High-Fat diet help pelvic cancer patients during radiation?

NCT ID NCT05938322

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looks at whether people with rectal cancer can stick to a ketogenic diet (very low carbs, high fat) during chemoradiation. About 194 participants will be randomly assigned to either the ketogenic diet or a standard Mediterranean diet for 5 weeks. The main goal is to see how well they follow the diet, and researchers will also check changes in body fat and muscle mass.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: ketogenic diet
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that a ketogenic diet is a practical option for patients undergoing pelvic cancer radiotherapy, potentially improving nutritional status and body composition.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study focused on diet adherence, not on cancer outcomes. Results may not apply to all patients, and the strict diet may be hard to follow for some.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for RECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

rectal cancer rectal neoplasm rectum adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

RECTAL CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS
RECRUITING

Rome, Italy

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.