Very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in treatment-naïve women with endometrial cancer and overweight: a randomized feasibility study.

TitleVery low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in treatment-naïve women with endometrial cancer and overweight: a randomized feasibility study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2026
AuthorsDantas E, Hootman KC, Moyer J, Tomberlin M, Curran K, Ramesh B, Price H, Kim J, McPherson AC, Hurd MA, Zhu Y-S, Plodkowski AJ, Nagase E, Tsomides A, Cuevas BM, M Martin L, Nguyen J, Bennetti G, Rodriguez GBotero, Chang K, Mezzancello M, Gardner GJ, Broach V, Mueller JJ, Sonoda Y, Zivanovic O, Leitao MM, Iasonos A, Soldan K, Carthew K, Hom V, Villamater FN, Chaari RRao, Gorski K, Sigouros M, Aghajanian C, Elemento O, Cantley LC, Hopkins BD, Weigelt B, Ellenson LH, Hacker K, Abu-Rustum NR, Makker V, Goncalves MD
JournalNat Commun
Date Published2026 May 27
ISSN2041-1723
Abstract

This multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial (NCT03285152) evaluates the primary endpoint of feasibility of a very-low carbohydrate diet (VLCD) in 19 women with obesity/overweight and endometrial cancer, who are randomized 2:1 to either a VLCD or a standard diet for 21-28 days. Fifteen participants complete the study, with 91 ± 4% of VLCD meals consumed, 5.5 ± 0.8% weight lost, and no grade 3/4 adverse events. Secondary endpoints include assessments of tumor biology and circulating metabolic biomarkers. Fasting glucose and insulin fall 22 ± 5.9% and 60 ± 3.8%, while total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) rise 6 ± 2.7% and 17.8 ± 8.9%. In a pre-specified exploratory outcome, RNA-Seq shows enrichment of CD8 + T-cells (q < 0.034; NES > 1.75), confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) showing CD8 + T-cells infiltration of the tumor margins (q = 0.034; NES = 1.75). We conclude that VLCD is feasible and well-tolerated.

DOI10.1038/s41467-026-73519-w
Alternate JournalNat Commun
PubMed ID42192131
Grant ListR01CA279561 / / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) /