Could a modified atkins diet help fight brain cancer?

NCT ID NCT02286167

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Wake Forest University Health Sciences Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether a modified Atkins diet combined with intermittent fasting is possible and has any effect in 25 people with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Participants followed the diet for several weeks while researchers checked if they could stick with it and measured changes in brain chemicals. The goal was to see if this diet approach is worth studying further as a supportive therapy.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: modified Atkins-based intermittent fasting diet
What this could lead to: If successful, this diet approach could offer a supportive strategy to help manage glioblastoma by altering brain chemistry.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 25 participants, so results may not apply widely. The diet is demanding and may be hard to follow long-term.

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.

glioblastoma glioma glioma susceptibility 1

As listed by the trial registrant

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

GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME

Contacts and locations

Locations

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
Wake Forest School of Medicine

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States

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