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

ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: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. METHODS: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. RESULTS: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. CONCLUSION: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.

SUBMITTER: Martin-McGill KJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7076054 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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

Martin-McGill Kirsty J KJ Marson Anthony G AG Tudur Smith Catrin C Young Bridget B Mills Samantha J SJ Cherry M Gemma MG Jenkinson Michael D MD

Journal of neuro-oncology 20200208 1

<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, pilo ...[more]

PMID: 32036576

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Project description:Background:Glioblastoma is the commonest form of malignant brain tumour in adults, affecting 2-3 people per 100,000 per year. Despite current treatment options including surgical resection, radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy, overall survival at 2 years is approximately 27%, with a median survival of 12-14 months. The ketogenic diet (KD) is postulated to work by simulating the metabolic response to fasting by promoting the utilisation of ketones as a primary energy source, and depriving the glycolytic pathways utilised by malignant glioma cells for growth. At present, there is no consensus as to which KD is preferable, with previous case series using different KDs, at different points in the treatment pathway. The aim of this randomised pilot study is to investigate protocol feasibility, tolerability and the impact on patient health and quality of life of two different KDs within an NHS setting. The results of this pilot study will inform which KD will be most deliverable and adhered to by patients in order to test for effectiveness in future trials. Methods:A prospective, non-blinded, randomised, pilot study will be undertaken in 12 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated by surgical resection. Patients will be randomised in a ratio of 1:1, using a permuted block randomisation method to one of two diets; the modified ketogenic diet and the medium chain triglyceride ketogenic diet. Primary data collection will take place 12 weeks after starting the diet and secondary data collection after 12 months. Feasibility will be assessed by retention and recruitment rates, ability to enrol patients prior to starting chemoradiotherapy, dietary compliance and adjustments, ketone levels, glucose levels and intervention time. Patient impact will be assessed through quality of life and food acceptability questionnaires, gastrointestinal side effects and changes to biochemical markers and anthropometric measures, assessed at regular intervals. Discussion:The results of this pilot study will be used to inform the feasibility, methodological design and power calculations of future phase III clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of KD as an adjuvant therapy in the management of glioblastoma. Trial registration:ISRCTN71665562 and NCT03075514.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Dignity Therapy (DT) is a short-term intervention to reduce psychological suffering in end-of-life care. Its strength lies in evidenced-based development and investigation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the feasibility of DT at German palliative care units (PCU), as well as the acceptability and adaption of a German version of the DT question protocol (DTQP). METHOD:A clinical multicentre mixed methods study, whereby patients and relatives provided quantitative (feedback questionnaires) and qualitative (cognitive interviews) data on the DT intervention. Before using the DTQP on patients, healthcare professionals (HCP) were invited to participate in cognitive interviews to provide input on DT. Therefore 360° feedback was achieved. Finally, the conducted DT interviews were examined. The study took place at two German PCUs (Mainz and Würzburg). Participating HCPs were physicians, psychologists, nurses and chaplains. Patients admitted to the PCUs were eligible to participate if they had a terminal illness and a life expectancy ranging from 2 weeks to 12 months. RESULTS:Out of 410 admitted patients, 72 were eligible and 30 (7.3% of all patients and 41.7% of eligible patients) participated. On average, 9 questions from the DTQP were used per DT interview. Subsequent cognitive interviews with patients produced four main categories of feedback (on the title, the question protocol, wording, and the questions actually asked). Finally, of the 30 participants, 19 completed the feedback questionnaire, as did 26 relatives. Of those, 18 patients and 24 relatives evaluated DT as helpful. CONCLUSIONS:DT is feasible for German PCUs. Our research yielded a validated German translation of the DTQP following EORTC guidelines and findings were reported according to the COREQ checklist for qualitative design. TRIAL REGISTRATION:The study was registered retrospectively on the 22nd of December 2017 at the German Clinical Trials Register ( DRKS00013627 ).

Project description:Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) has been shown to improve survival in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer survivors, but as many as half do not complete recommended treatment. Management of medication-related side effects and engagement with providers are two potentially modifiable factors, but their associations with adherence are not well understood. The aims were to build on survey results to qualitatively explore survivors' experiences with prescribed AET to (a) describe appraisal and management of AET side effects and (b) deconstruct decisions to initiate, discontinue, or maintain AET. .The authors used a mixed-methods explanatory sequence research design with a qualitative emphasis. .Survivors were recruited from a clinical cancer registry maintained at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which includes the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center (National Cancer Institute-designated), in Dallas. .452 survivors completed a survey, and 30 took part in telephone interviews. .Qualitative methods were used in which the authors recorded and transcribed interviews for analysis and used open coding to reduce data into themes. .Among adherent survivors, the themes of tolerance of side effects and perseverance were strong. Nonadherent survivors expressed more difficulty managing side effects and perceived fewer benefits when side effects were bothersome. The most common side effects mentioned by all survivors were menopausal symptoms and joint pain; less common side effects were cognitive decline and cardiac distress. Some sought advice from their oncology team. Nonadherent survivors appeared initially motivated to maintain AET but identified a tolerance limit for side effects after which a provider's recommendation was less influential in their decision to maintain or discontinue AET. .This study elucidated adherence as a complex continuum of behaviors, appraisals, and decision points. These insights may be particularly useful in counseling survivors taking AET and promoting timely delivery of clinical interventions to enhance adherence. .Nurses should be involved in the planning and implementation of clinical interventions to manage side effects and other barriers to AET adherence.

Dataset Information

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

Publications

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

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