A whole-food, plant-based randomized controlled trial in metastatic breast cancer: weight, cardiometabolic, and hormonal outcomes

Abstract

Purpose

Breast cancer treatment is associated with weight gain, and obesity and its related cardiometabolic and hormonal risk factors have been associated with poorer outcomes. Dietary intervention may address these risk factors, but limited research has been done in the setting of metastatic breast cancer requiring systemic therapy.

Methods

Women with metastatic breast cancer on stable treatment were randomized 2:1 to an 8-week intervention ( n = 21) or control ( n = 11). The intervention included weekly assessment visits and an ad libitum whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet with provided meals. Cardiometabolic, hormonal, and cancer markers were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.

Results

Within the intervention group, mean weight decreased by 6.6% ( p < 0.01) after 8 weeks. Fasting insulin decreased from 16.8 uIU/L to 11.2 uIU/L ( p < 0.01), concurrent with significantly reduced insulin resistance. Total cholesterol decreased from 193.6 mg/dL to 159 mg/dL ( p < 0.01), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased from 104.6 mg/dL to 82.2 mg/dL ( p < 0.01). Total testosterone was unchanged, but free testosterone trended lower within the intervention group ( p = 0.08) as sex hormone binding globulin increased from 74.3 nmol/L to 98.2 nmol/L ( p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in cancer progression markers at week 8, although mean CA 15-3, CA 27.29, and CEA were lower in the intervention group ( p = 0.53, p = 0.23, and p = 0.54, respectively) compared to control, when adjusted for baseline.

Conclusion

WFPB dietary changes during treatment for metastatic breast cancer are well tolerated and significantly improve weight, cardiometabolic and hormonal parameters. Longer studies are warranted to assess the durability of changes.

Trial registration First registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03045289) on February 7, 2017.