Time Restricted Eating in Haematological Malignancies
This study aims to discover if a particular eating pattern, known as Time-Restricted Eating (TRE), can help people living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL), a type of cancer. TRE involves eating all your meals within an 8-hour window each day and then fasting (only having water, black coffee, or black tea) for the remaining 16 hours. We want to see if this eating pattern can slow down or stabilise cancer cell growth and improve a process in immune cells called autophagy, which is like a natural recycling system. The study also explores if TRE improves how patients feel and their overall quality of life. Some healthy volunteers without cancer will also participate for comparison.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research study is investigating whether a specific eating plan, called Time-Restricted Eating (TRE), could be beneficial for individuals diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL). CLL is a type of cancer that affects particular immune cells. Time-Restricted Eating is a form of intermittent fasting, which means you eat your meals within a set timeframe each day and then fast for the rest of the day. In this study, participants will eat normally for 8 hours and then fast for 16 hours every day.
The main questions this study hopes to answer are whether this eating pattern can lead to fewer cancer cells or prevent them from growing, and if it affects how immune cells recycle themselves (a process called autophagy). The study also wants to understand if following this eating plan makes patients feel better and improves their overall quality of life, which is very important. To help understand the immune cell changes, some healthy people without cancer will also be part of the study for comparison.
By taking part, you would be helping researchers learn more about potential new ways to support people with CLL. It's important to remember that this is a research study, and we are still learning. The information gathered could help future patients and contribute valuable knowledge to the medical community.
Key takeaways
- Exploring if Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) can help with CLL.
- Involves daily 16-hour fasting and 8-hour eating windows.
- Checks cancer cell counts and immune cell activity.
- Aims to understand impact on patient well-being and quality of life.
- Participation includes monthly blood tests and regular check-ins.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, whether you have CLL or are a healthy volunteer, you generally need to be between 18 and 85 years old. If you have CLL, your general health should be good enough to take part in a study, and you shouldn't have started any new cancer treatments recently or be expecting to start one very soon.
There are also some specific health checks involved, like your blood cell counts needing to be within a certain range. Your body mass index (BMI) should also be at least 20 kg/m2 when you start. It's important that you haven't been following any other type of intermittent fasting in the four months before the study begins.
Some things that would prevent you from taking part include being pregnant or breastfeeding, having diabetes, or if you need to take medicines with food during the times you would be fasting. Also, if you have a digestive problem that makes fasting difficult, or if your BMI drops too low during the study, you would not be able to continue.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 18 and 85 years old?
- Do you have CLL (or no cancer, if a control participant)?
- Have you not been doing intermittent fasting in the last 4 months?
- Are you able to take all your medications outside of the fasting window?
- Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Do you not have diabetes?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to join this study, you'll be asked to follow a Time-Restricted Eating plan for either 3 or 6 months. This means you'll eat all your meals within an 8-hour window each day and fast for the remaining 16 hours (only water, black coffee, or black tea are allowed during fasting).
Throughout the study, you'll have monthly blood tests. You'll also need to keep a weekly record of your weight and the times you eat your first and last meals of the day. For the first month, a study team member will check in with you weekly to make sure you're doing okay, and then these check-ins will be every two weeks. You'll also fill out three questionnaires about your quality of life. There are a couple of optional parts too: providing three stool samples and having an interview at the end of the study.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- BC CancerVerified postcodeVictoria, Canada
Common questions
What is Time-Restricted Eating (TRE)?
TRE is an eating plan where you eat all your meals within an 8-hour window each day and then fast (only having water, black coffee, or black tea) for the remaining 16 hours.
How long will I be in the study?
You can choose to participate for either 3 or 6 months, depending on what works best for you.
Will I have to change my medicines?
The study checks if your current medications need to be taken with food during the fasting times. If so, you might not be able to join.
What if I feel unwell during the study?
The study team will do weekly (then bi-weekly) check-ins to monitor your well-being. You can also report any concerns at any time.
Do I need to give stool samples?
Giving stool samples and having an end-of-study interview are optional parts of the study, so you can choose whether or not to participate in them.
How to find out more
Eleah Stringer, MSc, RD, CSO
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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