KETO-TUMOR: a Study on Brain Tumors and Central Obesity (NCT07396896) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
KETO-TUMOR: a Study on Brain Tumors and Central Obesity
Italy30 participantsStarted 2025-05-08
Plain-language summary
Hypothalamic-chiasmatic tumours account for 5-10% of CNS tumours in children and can compromise hypothalamic function, causing alterations in energy balance and weight gain. In inoperable cases, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used; the latter, although the gold standard, is associated with significant neurocognitive and endocrine-metabolic side effects, proportional to the hypothalamic damage.
The ketogenic diet, used for decades in the treatment of drug-resistant childhood epilepsy, induces the use of ketone bodies as a source of energy for the brain and is effective in controlling seizures. Among the different variants, the modified Atkins diet was chosen in this study to promote better patient adherence.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet (KD) in treating central obesity secondary to hypothalamic-chiasmatic tumours (gliomas, craniopharyngiomas, germ cell tumours, etc.), which often lead to excessive weight gain. This is refractory to drug therapy and lifestyle changes, such as low-calorie diets and exercise.
Who can participate
Age range
7 Years – 30 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Diagnosis of hypothalamic-chiasmatic tumour according to the WHO 2021 classification
. Diagnosis of hypothalamic obesity: after 5 years of age, BMI \>97th percentile in the WHO 2007 curves
. Males and females aged between 7 and 30 years
. Performance status: Lansky score \> 40 for patients aged \< 18 years and Karnofsky score \> 40 for patients aged between 18 and 30 years
. Signature of informed consent to participate in the study
. Signature of consent by the minor patient to participate in the study (7-13 years and 14-17 years).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Percentage of patients who experience weight loss of at least 5% over 24 months
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of the follow up period at 24 months