What does science say about Ketogenic diet and cancer (all types)?
- We don’t say yes or no. We show what has been studied.
- Working in a lab or in animals does not mean it works in people.
- Don’t stop or change your treatment without talking to your doctor.
What has been studied
- Lab studies (cells)Tests on cells in a dish.Source: PubMed · as of 11 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed9studies
- Animal studiesTests in mice, rats or other animals.Source: PubMed · as of 11 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed59studies
- Studies in peoplePublished studies with human participants.Source: PubMed · as of 11 Nov 2026 · Open the search at PubMed74studies
- Registered trials in peopleTrials entered in a public registry, whatever their result.ClinicalTrials.gov: 19 · as of 11 Nov 2026 · Open the search at ClinicalTrials.govEU CTIS: 0 · as of 11 Nov 2026 · Open the search at EU CTISBy phase:No phase (13)Phase 2 (4)Phase 1/2 (1)Phase 1 (1)By status:Recruiting (5)Completed (5)Not yet recruiting (3)Running, not recruiting (3)Withdrawn before start (2)Stopped early (1)Countries (7):United States (10)Italy (3)France (2)Canada (1)China (1)Germany (1)Israel (1)With a linked publication (results): 1 of 19The registries do not tell us here whether results were posted; a linked publication is shown instead.19trials
- Approved treatmentApproved by a medicines regulator for this disease.No
Cancer here means all 33 cancer types we cover.
Examples of what we found
The trials
Phase 2
NCT + PD1 + Ketogenic Diet and/or Vitamin C for LARC
Not yet recruiting · China
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07765667No phase
BEAM-MM - β-Hydroxybutyrate-Enhanced Adaptive Immunity in Multiple Myeloma
Recruiting · Germany
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT07564219No phase
Preoperative Ketogenic Diet for Reduction of Hepatic Steatosis
Recruiting · Canada
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05884723Phase 2
Preventing High Blood Sugar in People Being Treated for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Running, not recruiting · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05090358Phase 2
A Pilot Study of Ketogenic Diet and Metformin in Glioblastoma: Feasibility and Metabolic Imaging
Running, not recruiting · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04691960No phase
Pilot Study of a Metabolic Nutritional Therapy for the Management of Primary Brain Tumors
Running, not recruiting · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT01535911No phase
Strict Classic Ketogenic Diet as a Therapy for Recurrent or Progressive and Refractory Brain Tumors in Children
Withdrawn before start · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT03955068No phase
Ketogenic Diet in Patients With Untreated Low Tumor Burden Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Withdrawn before start · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04231734Phase 2
Paxalisib With a High Fat, Low Carb Diet and Metformin for Glioblastoma
Completed · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05183204No phase
Study Evaluating the Ketogenic Diet in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
Completed · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT04631445No phase
A Study of Ketogenic Diet in Newly Diagnosed Overweight or Obese Endometrial Cancer Patients
Completed · United States
ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT03285152
Thinking of paying for it? Read this first
- Ask for published results. Stories, thank-you letters and "patients report" are not results. Ask where the results were published.
- Know what you pay for. Ask in writing: what exactly is included, who gets the money, and what happens if you stop.
- Ask your own doctor first. Some products interfere with chemotherapy, radiation or other medicines. Your treating doctor can check this.
- Do not stop standard treatment for it. Do not stop or delay your treatment without talking to your care team.
Not medical advice. Talk to the care team before changing treatment.