Plain-English translation of NCT04722341 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Colorectal Cancer research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This trial is testing whether a simple eating pattern called time-restricted eating (eating all your food within 8 hours per day, then fasting for 16 hours) can help improve how well chemotherapy and radiation work for people with rectal or breast cancer. Early research in animals and small human studies suggests this eating pattern may make cancer cells more sensitive to treatment while protecting healthy cells from damage. The study wants to see if this approach reduces treatment side effects, helps shrink tumors, and improves quality of life.
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can cause serious side effects and don't work equally well for everyone. Researchers believe that time-restricted eating might make cancer cells more vulnerable to these treatments while helping healthy cells stay stronger, but this idea has never been tested in a large group of cancer patients receiving active treatment.
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If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned to either eat all your meals within an 8-hour window each day (starting within 2 hours of waking up) or continue eating normally with a 12+ hour eating window. You'll continue this eating pattern while receiving your regular cancer treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiation). The study will track your side effects, how well your tumor responds to treatment, blood work, and how you feel throughout your cancer treatment and recovery period.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 2, 2026 · Not medical advice
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