Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

The effect of dietary interventions on cancer survival: A living systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (146389)

Brooke P Baker 1 , Rosa R Spence 1 , Melanie L Plinsinga 2 , Lizzy A Johnston 1 , Susannah K Ayre 1 , Kerry S Courneya 3 , Christine M Friedenreich 4 , Sandi C Hayes 2
  1. Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  2. Population Health, Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  4. Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Aims: Evidence on the effect of dietary interventions on cancer survival, across cancer types and intervention characteristics, remains inconclusive. The aim of this living systematic review is to provide an open-access, continually updated resource summarising the effect of dietary interventions on cancer survival, and to compare the effect between intervention characteristics.

Methods: Systematic searches of databases and clinical trial registries will be conducted every six to 12 months, with findings published on an open-access platform. The initial search was conducted in October, 2025, and study screening was completed in duplicate. Randomised controlled trials evaluating the effect of behaviour change-focused dietary interventions on survival in people living with cancer were eligible for inclusion. Data extraction, risk of bias and overall evidence quality assessment are currently underway. Random-effects models were used to generate pooled hazard ratio estimates for overall survival and other survival outcomes.

Results: Seven eligible records were identified, reporting on six studies including a total of 1,038 participants (median sample size n=146 (range: 21–358)). Studies included participants with mixed cancer types (n=3), or upper gastrointestinal cancer only (n=3). Three interventions focused on adequate energy (+/- protein) intake, whilst others implemented tailored, symptom-informed advice (n=2), or a ketogenic diet (n=1). All interventions were delivered during active treatment. The median intervention length was 15 weeks (range: 6-18) and median follow up time for survival outcomes was 18 months (range: 6-62). Results from pooled analysis of six studies (n=8 intervention arms) suggests no effect on overall survival through dietary intervention (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.74-1.09).

Conclusions: As more research emerges exploring the role of diet following a cancer diagnosis, this living review will provide a curated, contemporary resource to support ongoing analysis and drive improvements in research, policy and clinical practice.