Table 2 Overview of clinical studies on the effect of STF on the toxicity of chemotherapy

Safdie et al. 2009, USC, USA [136]

10 human subjects with distinct malignancies

Distinct, + STF varying from 48 to 140 h prior and 5–56 h after CT

Safe and feasible.

Reduction in CT-induced side effects.

Badar et al. 2014, KFMC, Saudi Arabia, NCT00757094 [135]

11 human subjects with distinct malignancies

IF during Ramadan when receiving CT

Safe and feasible.

Reduction in CT-induced side effects^a.

Dorff et al. 2016, USC, USA, NCT00936364, [22, 137]

20 human subjects with distinct malignancies

Platinum based CT + 24 h, 48 h or 72 h STF

Safe and feasible .

Reduces DNA damage in leukocytes (dose response).

Reduction of IGF-1 (dose response).

de Groot et al. 2015, LUMC, The Netherlands NCT01304251 [131]

13 women with stage II and III HER2 negative breast cancer

TAC CT ± 48 h STF

Safe and feasible.

Reduction in IGF-1

Beneficial effect on erythrocytes and thrombocytes

Possible reduction in DNA damage in healthy cells

Bauersfeld et al. 2018, Charite University, Germany, NCT01954836 [138]

34 women with breast and ovarian cancer

CT ± 60 h STF (cross-over)

Safe and feasible

Beneficial effect on QOL, fatigue and well-being