Could fasting boost chemo outcomes? small trial tests the idea in ovarian cancer
NCT ID NCT06386887
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at whether intermittent fasting (not eating for 16 hours a day, 5 days a week) is safe and doable for people with advanced ovarian cancer who are getting chemotherapy before surgery. Twenty participants will either follow the fasting schedule or standard diet advice for 6-9 weeks. Researchers will track how well patients stick to the plan, check blood markers, and monitor side effects and quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- intermittent fasting (time-restricted eating)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that timed fasting is a safe way to improve quality of life and reduce side effects during chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small early study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Fasting during chemo could also cause weight loss or weakness in some patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Jul 2024
- Expected to finish
-
Nov 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years and above * Participants with confirmed diagnosis of primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) by internal cytologic or histologic evaluation (including fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer) * Participants receiving platinum-based chemotherapy for ovarian cancer including * Participants with stage III or IV EOC planned to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy (including participants who had a diagnostic laparoscopy or aborted debulking) OR * Participants with stage III or IV EOC following primary debulking surgery * Participants with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who will receive platinum-based chemotherapy OR * Participants who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery who will be receiving adjuvant (postoperative) chemotherapy * Any invasive ovarian cancer histology * Normal cognitive function Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<18 years * Malignant complete or partial bowel obstruction confirmed on imaging. * Participants unable to provide informed consent. * BMI \<18 * Participants diagnosed with severe malnutrition as assessed by study dietitian * Type I diabetes on insulin * Absence of pretreatment CT abdomen and pelvis imaging or \>4-6 weeks between imaging and cycle 1 of chemotherapy.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Epithelial ovarian cancer are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Department of Subspecialty Care for Women's Health Women's Health; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
RECRUITINGCleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a Patient's own immune cells fight ovarian cancer?
- Ovarian Cancer's spread: scientists probe abdominal fluid for clues
- Mapping the DNA test that decides who gets PARP inhibitors
- Can inhaled manganese make ovarian cancer immunotherapy hit harder?
- Can a new drug combo keep ovarian cancer from coming back?
- Can a new imaging tracer light up ovarian cancer cells?