Can better nutrition help kids beat cancer?

NCT ID NCT06175273

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

Summary

Nearly 60% of children with cancer become malnourished, which can lead to infections and worse outcomes. This pilot study tested three nutrition approaches—oral supplements, appetite-stimulating drugs, and tube feeding—in 19 children to see which best improved body composition and weight. The goal is to create clear guidelines for doctors to use in the future.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Oral nutrition supplement, tube feeding, cyproheptadine, olanzapine

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to better clinical guidelines for managing malnutrition in children with cancer, potentially improving treatment outcomes and survival.

What could go wrong

This is a small pilot study with only 19 participants, so results may not apply to all children. The interventions have side effects, and the study does not test whether they improve cancer outcomes directly.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Child Nutrition Disorders childhood malignant neoplasm muscular atrophy neoplasm nutritional deficiency disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Kentucky

    Lexington, Kentucky, 40536, United States