Understanding the Trial Results
This trial looked at how safe and practical a ketogenic diet (KD) is for patients with recently diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) who are also receiving standard cancer treatment. Here’s what we found:
What Worked
- Safety: All patients in the trial were safe. There were no serious side effects or excessive weight loss.
- Adherence: All patients were able to stick to the diet, keeping their blood ketone levels where they needed to be for over half of the study days.
- Progression-Free Survival (PFS): Patients lived without their cancer getting worse for an average of 12.9 months.
- Overall Survival (OS): Patients lived an average of 29.4 months after starting the diet.
What Didn’t Work
- Statistical Significance: While quality of life and cognitive function showed some improvement, these changes were not strong enough to be considered statistically significant.
How This Helps Patients and Clinics
The results suggest that a ketogenic diet is safe for patients with GBM and may help improve their outcomes. This is important for doctors and patients looking for additional ways to manage cancer treatment.
Real-World Opportunities
- Hospitals can consider offering ketogenic diets as part of treatment plans for GBM patients.
- Doctors can educate patients about the potential benefits of a ketogenic diet alongside standard treatments.
Measurable Outcomes to Track
- Weight and body mass index (BMI)
- Blood ketone levels
- Progression-free survival (PFS)
- Overall survival (OS)
- Quality of life and cognitive function assessments
AI Tools for Support
Clinics can use AI tools to monitor patient data, such as blood glucose and ketone levels, to ensure adherence to the diet and track health outcomes effectively.
Step-by-Step Plan for Clinics
- Start Small: Begin by offering the ketogenic diet to a few patients who are interested.
- Monitor Progress: Keep track of their weight, ketone levels, and overall health regularly.
- Gather Feedback: Ask patients about their experiences and any changes in their quality of life.
- Expand Gradually: If results are positive, consider expanding the program to more patients.
For more detailed information on the research, you can read the full study here.
