A Pilot, Feasibility Study of Intermittent Caloric Restriction Plus Plant-based Diet in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

This pilot trial will provide preliminary evidence that 1) intermittent caloric restriction and a plant-based diet is feasible in cancer patients; 2) intermittent caloric restriction and a plant-based diet can be safely combined with standard chemotherapy; and 3) intermittent caloric restriction and a plant-based diet may reduce the side effects but increase the antitumor effects of standard chemotherapy.

Inclusion criteria

• • Histologically documented, cancer patients who are eligible to receive cytotoxic chemotherapy.

• Life expectancy of at least 6 months
• Adults ≥ 18 years of age
• Adequate hematologic, renal, and liver function as evidenced by the following:

• White blood cell (WBC) ≥ 2,500 cells/μL
• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,000 cells/μL
• Platelet Count ≥ 100,000 cells/μL
• Hemoglobin (HgB) ≥ 9.0 g/dL
• Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
• Total bilirubin ≤ 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST, SGOT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN
• Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT, SGPT) ≤ 2.5 x ULN

Exclusion criteria

• • Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 2 or higher

• Treatment with any of the following medications or interventions within 28 days of registration:

• Systemic corticosteroids; however, use of inhaled, intranasal, and topical steroids is acceptable.
• High dose calcitriol [1,25(OH)2VitD] (i.e., > 7.0 μg/week)
• Any infection requiring parenteral antibiotic therapy or causing fever (temperature > 100.5°F or 38.1°C) within 1 week prior to registration
• A known allergy, intolerance, or medical contraindication to receiving the contrast dye required for the protocol-specified CT/MRI imaging
• Any medical intervention or other condition which, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, could compromise adherence with study requirements or otherwise compromise the study's objectives