Brain cancer 3 year survival rates in a study of 18 people Regular...
Nicholas Fabiano, MD@NTFabiano
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Mar 03, 2025
~1 min read
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Brain cancer 3 year survival rates in a study of 18 people
Regular diet: 8.3%
Ketogenic diet: 66.7%
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Regular diet: 8.3%
Ketogenic diet: 66.7%
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These findings are from a study in @FrontNutrition which examined the impact of ketogenic diet on tumor (Glioblastoma multiforme [GBM]) progression. frontiersin.org/journals/nutri… 2/9
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GBM is the most common primary malignant tumor of the brain and central nervous system; it accounts for 14.5% of all central nervous system tumors and 48.6% of malignant central nervous system tumors. 3/9
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Despite surgical excision (total or subtotal), followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide, patients with newly diagnosed GBM have a median overall survival of 12–18 months, with <10% surviving beyond 5 years. 4/9
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Recent advancements have led to renewed interest in Warburg’s theory of carcinogenesis; according to this theory, malignant cells are characterized by distinct structural and functional mitochondrial abnormalities, leading to compensatory metabolic dependencies. 5/9
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The main metabolic phenotype of GBM is a high glycolytic rate with lactic acid fermentation due to loss of efficiency in the respiratory cycle, despite ample mutational heterogeneity and secondary metabolic reprogramming. 6/9
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Unlike normal brain cells that have evolved to metabolize ketone bodies for energy when glucose availability is low, GBM cells depend on glycolysis for growth and are unable to efficiently metabolize ketones due to impaired mitochondrial function. 7/9
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This metabolic deficiency isolates cancer cells from normal cells from a metabolic perspective, regardless of their somatic mutation landscape. 8/9
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Overall, biomarker-driven ketogenic diets could be a complementary therapeutic intervention for patients with GBM, aiming to slow tumor growth, potentiate standard cytotoxic therapies, and extend long-term survival. 9/9
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Important disclaimer: This DOES NOT mean that the ketogenic diet should be used instead of traditional, evidence-based treatment options.
