Diet changes for cancer patients on immune therapy
Official title: Cancer Nutrition Study: CaNS - A Pilot Study of Dietary Interventions in Cancer Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Run by University of Pittsburgh · NCT06475807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if changing the diet of cancer patients on immune therapy with high-fermented foods and high-fiber supplements can improve their gut health and help their treatment work better.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, Methotrexate, prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 17, 2024 |
| Main results expected | June 2030 |
| Study ends | June 2030 |
| Registry record updated | June 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06475807 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer who are starting or currently receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are not undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or those with significant dietary restrictions may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot trial investigates the effects of two dietary interventions—high-fermented foods and high-fiber supplements—on the gut microbiome and immune response in patients with melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Participants will follow a structured diet plan, alternating between the two interventions, while their dietary intake, stool, and blood samples will be collected to assess changes in gut microbiota and inflammatory markers. The study aims to provide insights into how dietary modifications can enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to dietary recommendations that improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: While dietary interventions in cancer care are being explored, this specific approach combining high-fermented foods and high-fiber supplements is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Be willing and able to provide written informed consent. 2. Adult ≥ 18 years of age, willing and able to provide blood and stool specimen and comply with dietary modification, as well as willing to fill out study required questionnaires (paper or electronic and web-based). 3. Patients must have any type of electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer etc that can access the internet. Body mass index (BMI) 18.5-40 kg/m2. 4. Self-reported willingness to adhere with dietary intervention. 5. Self-reported willingness to comply to scheduled follow ups, fill out questionnaires/food logs, provide stool samples and undergo venipuncture 6. Patients who are treated or about to start treatment with standard of care anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy will be consented for the dietary intervention study I. Early stage (IIB-IIIC) resected melanoma patient on adjuvant pembrolizumab or nivolumab. II. Early stage (IB-IIIA) resected NSCLC patients on adjuvant pembrolizumab or atezolizumab. III. Early stage (IB-IIIA) NSCLC patients who are surgical candidates and are treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (nivolumab or pembrolizumab). a. (patients can be enrolled in the study at any point during their treatment period) IV. Stage IIIB or IIIC NSCLC after concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by consolidation immunotherapy (durvalumab). V. LS-SCLC after concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by consolidation immunotherapy (durvalumab) 7. Melanoma patients with stage IIB-IIIC, currently enrolled in a clinical trial and randomized to the standard of care arm (e.g., adjuvant nivolumab or adjuvant pembrolizumab), as permitted by the protocols of the enrolled clinical trial. 8. Melanoma patients with a single metastatic or recurrent lesion who have undergone tumor resection and are currently receiving adjuvant treatment with nivolumab or pembrolizumab. 9. Stage IIB-IIIA NSCLC patients currently enrolled in a clinical trial and randomized to the standard of care anti-PD1/anti-PD-L1 arm after tumor resection or stage IIIB/C NSCLC or LS-SCLC patients after concurrent chemo/RT enrolled in a clinical trial and randomized to the standard of care consolidation immunotherapy arm as permitted by the protocols of the enrolled clinical trial. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients receiving ICIs enrolled in a clinical trial in the experimental arm. 2. Use of any of the following drugs within the last 4 weeks: 1. Systemic antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, or antiparasitics (intravenous, intramuscular, or oral); 2. Oral, intravenous, intramuscular, nasal, or inhaled corticosteroids ((\> 10 mg daily prednisone equivalents) or other immunosuppressive medications within 14 days of study intervention administration. Inhaled or topical steroids and adrenal replacement doses \>10 mg daily prednisone equivalents are permitted in the absence of active autoimmune disease) 3. Cytokines. 4. Methotrexate or immunosuppressive cytotoxic agents. 5. Regularly taking probiotics, fiber supplements, or any other medication or pre-biotic dietary supplement that could affect the study outcome as determined by the principal investigator and unable/unwilling to discontinue for the study. These agents must be discontinued at least 14 days prior to the start of the diet. 3. Current use of chronic alcohol within the last 4 weeks, defined as more than five 1.5-ounce servings of 80-proof distilled spirits, five 12-ounce servings of beer, or five 5-ounce servings of wine per day. 4. Current consumption of fiber \>25g (determined based on patient reported intake or baseline DHQ3 assessment) or fermented food ≥≥3 portions a day (foods/drinks tested in the clinical trial, for example coffee beverage is considered to be a fermented drink but will not count towards the consume fermented food intake). 5. Any major bowel resection at any time. 6. Medical contraindications to intervention diet as determined by the treating physician. 7. Systemic antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPis) are not allowable during the study (should be discontinued \>21 days prior). If PPIs or systemic antibiotics are initiated by the patient's treating physician, the patient should report this to the study team during the study period. 8. Unable or unwilling to adhere schedule interventions and study procedures. 9. History of active uncontrolled gastrointestinal disorders or diseases, including: 1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (mild-moderate-severe), Crohn's disease (mild-moderate-severe), or indeterminate colitis. 2. Malabsorption (e.g active celiac disease) 3. Active Persistent, infectious gastroenteritis, colitis or gastritis, persistent or chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology, Clostridium difficile infection (recurrent), or Helicobacter pylori infection (untreated).
Where it's running
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UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hassane M Zarour, MD — UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Hassane M Zarour, MD
- Email: zarourhm@upmc.edu
- Phone: (412) 623-3272
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.