(P11-001-25) Effects of Ramadan and 5:2 Intermittent Fasting on Cancer-Associated Biomarkers and Quality of Life in Female Survivors From Breast Cancer in the UAE: A Study Protocol

Objectives: This research protocol aims to test the hypothesis that frequent diurnal intermittent fasting (DIF) practiced in the form of faith-based Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) over four consecutive weeks followed by five months of DIF two days/week (5:2) improves the nutritional, metabolic, inflammatory-immunological, genetic, circadian rhythm profiles, and quality of life among female breast cancer survivors (BCS) in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: The study protocol registered under the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi (DOH/ADHRTC/2024/1778) adopts a 6-month prospective follow-up design employing mixed-research methods. Data will be collected between January and September 2025 in the Breast Care Center, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain- UAE, a premier tertiary care facility. The study comprises two phases: Phase I will cross-sectionally explore fasting behavior among female survivors from breast cancer (380-BCS). Phase II will include a five-arm model (30 participants each), namely, RIF, RIF+5:2, RIF+ Induced 5:2 (Intervention group), Non-IF, and Healthy Non-IF Controls, employing a 3-timepoint assessment plan at baseline (a month prior to Ramadan), mid-point (last week of Ramadan), and final (6 months post-Ramadan). Measurements include: repeated 24-h diet recalls and food frequency questionnaire, serum glucose homeostasis and lipid profiles, Multiplex customized 19-cytokine panel test, cancer-related genes expression, skin-contact actimetry, and Quality of Life of Adult Cancer Survivors questionnaire. Linear mixed models will be used to analyze the repeated measures. Significance will be tested at p< 0.05, and the effect size will be calculated to examine the practical importance of research outcomes.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: The importance of the proposed work stems from being the first clinical study to comprehensively evaluate the long-term effects of faith-based frequently practiced DIF on the health and quality of life of BCS. The outcomes will have implications for BCS practice and will guide healthcare practitioners and oncologists about the impact of IF.

Funding Sources: United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)-Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) grant