Ketogenic diets as an adjuvant therapy for glioblastoma (KEATING): a randomized, mixed methods, feasibility study



Martin-McGill, Kirsty J ORCID: 0000-0002-5138-2497, Marson, Anthony G ORCID: 0000-0002-6861-8806, Tudur Smith, Catrin ORCID: 0000-0003-3051-1445, Young, Bridget ORCID: 0000-0001-6041-9901, Mills, Samantha J ORCID: 0000-0002-1017-6654, Cherry, M Gemma and Jenkinson, Michael D ORCID: 0000-0003-4587-2139
(2020) Ketogenic diets as an adjuvant therapy for glioblastoma (KEATING): a randomized, mixed methods, feasibility study. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 147 (1). pp. 213-227.

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Abstract

<h4>Purpose</h4>We conducted a feasibility study to investigate the use of ketogenic diets (KDs) as an adjuvant therapy for patients with glioblastoma (GBM), investigating (i) trial feasibility; (ii) potential impacts of the trial on patients' quality of life and health; (iii) patients' perspectives of their decision-making when invited to participate in the trial and (iv) recommending improvements to optimize future phase III trials.<h4>Methods</h4>A single-center, prospective, randomized, pilot study (KEATING), with an embedded qualitative design. Twelve newly diagnosed patients with GBM were randomized 1:1 to modified ketogenic diet (MKD) or medium chain triglyceride ketogenic diet (MCTKD). Primary outcome was retention at three months. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of patients and caregivers (n = 15). Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative outcomes and qualitative data were analyzed thematically aided by NVivo.<h4>Results</h4>KEATING achieved recruitment targets, but the recruitment rate was low (28.6%). Retention was poor; only four of 12 patients completed the three-month diet (MCTKD n = 3; MKD n = 1). Participants' decisions were intuitive and emotional; caregivers supported diet implementation and influenced the patients' decision to participate. Those who declined made a deliberative and considered decision factoring diet burden and quality of life. A three-month diet was undesirable to patients who declined and withdrew.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Recruitment to a KD trial for patients with GBM is possible. A six-week intervention period is proposed for a phase III trial. The role of caregivers should not be underestimated. Future trials should optimize and adequately support the decision-making of patients.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Glioblastoma, Ketogenic diet, Feasibility, Mixed-method, Pilot
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 10 Feb 2020 09:30
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2024 10:12
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03417-8
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3074352