Fasting During Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer

This study is looking at whether intermittent fasting (periods of time you don't eat) is possible and safe for women with epithelial ovarian cancer (a common type of ovarian cancer) who are receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy given before surgery). Researchers want to see if this type of fasting can improve quality of life, symptoms, and overall results. You could be eligible if you are 18 or older, have a confirmed diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer, and are receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. The study will measure how well participants follow the fasting plan by checking blood sugar (glucose), ketone, and IGF-1 levels. The goal is to see if intermittent fasting is practical, safe, and acceptable during chemotherapy.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 20 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You will receive standard chemotherapy every 3 weeks for 3 to 4 cycles. The intermittent fasting involves 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating for 5 days, followed by 2 days of regular eating.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Compliance with intermittent fasting will be measured at Day 1 of each 21-day chemotherapy cycle.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06386887

Fasting During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patient With Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalSupportive care
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
~20 participants
Updated 2026-08-06 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Intermittent FastingNeoadjuvant chemotherapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by serum glucose laboratory testing
Measured over Day 1 of cycle 1 (each cycle consisting of 21 days)
+18 more outcomes measured
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

NCT06386887

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Department of Subspecialty Care for Women's Health Women's Health; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Cleveland, Ohiono site contact published

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Michelle Kuznicki, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The Cleveland Clinic

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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.
  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by serum glucose laboratory testingDay 1 of cycle 1 (each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (serum glucose) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by ketone laboratory testingDay 1 of cycle 1 (each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (ketone) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by IGF-1 laboratory testingDay 1 of cycle 1 (each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (IGF-1) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by insulin laboratory testingDay 1 of cycle 1 (each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (insulin) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by serum glucose laboratory testingWeek 3 (Day 1 of cycle 2; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (serum glucose) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by ketone laboratory testingWeek 3 (Day 1 of cycle 2; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (ketone) prior to each chemotherapy. which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (serum glucose, ketone, IGF-1, and insulin) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by IGF-1 laboratory testingWeek 3 (Day 1 of cycle 2; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (IGF-1) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by insulin laboratory testingWeek 3 (Day 1 of cycle 2; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (insulin) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by serum glucose laboratory testingWeek 6 (Day 1 of cycle 3; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (serum glucose) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by ketone laboratory testingWeek 6 (Day 1 of cycle 3; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (ketone) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by IGF-1 laboratory testingWeek 6 (Day 1 of cycle 3; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (IGF-1) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by insulin laboratory testingWeek 6 (Day 1 of cycle 3; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by metabolic laboratory tests (insulin) prior to each chemotherapy.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by self-reported assessmentWeek 3 (Day 1 of cycle 2; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by a self-reported compliance checklist assessment.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by self-reported assessmentWeek 6 (Day 1 of cycle 3; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured by a self-reported compliance checklist assessment.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by food diaryWeek 3 (Day 1 of cycle 2; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured a 3-food diary submitted during each dietitian in person visit.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by food diaryWeek 6 (Day 1 of cycle 3; each cycle consisting of 21 days)

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured a 3-food diary submitted during each dietitian in person visit.

  • Intermittent fasting compliance as measured by food diaryUp to 12 weeks post intervention

    Participants will be assessed for intermittent fasting compliance which will be measured a 3-food diary submitted during each dietitian in person visit.

  • Pre body compositionBaseline

    Pre- and post- treatment body composition will be assessed by Computed Tomography scans.

  • Post body compositionUp to 12 weeks post intervention

    Pre- and post- treatment body composition will be assessed by Computed Tomography scans.