Time-restricted eating during rectal cancer treatment to reduce toxicity and improve outcomes
Official title: Project 4: Effect of Meal Timing during Cancer Treatment in Rectal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-11411217 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinical trial tests whether eating only within a set time window during cancer treatment can reduce side effects and help treatments work better for rectal cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $275,858 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA285275-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411217 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy at AN Medical Center who can adhere to a time-restricted eating schedule.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unable to safely fast or who have medical conditions requiring continuous eating patterns may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll 100 rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy at AN Medical Center to compare time-restricted eating with usual eating patterns. Participants will follow a defined daily eating window during treatment and be closely monitored for treatment-related toxicity, metabolic health, and tumor response. The study builds on prior TRE research and aims to see if aligning meals with treatment timing can improve tolerability and efficacy in a population at high risk for metabolic disease. Results could guide personalized eating plans that support cancer treatment in real-world care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience fewer side effects and potentially better treatment effects during rectal cancer care.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier TRE trials in cancer show promise, but this population-specific trial is a novel extension.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Timothy K — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Timothy K
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.