Multimodal Intervention for Cachexia in Advanced Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Summary

Cancer cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (with or without loss of fat mass) that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment. There is an urgency for improving management, but there is no consensus on the optimal treatment for cancer cachexia. Several single therapies for cancer cachexia have been examined in clinical trials, with disappointing overall results. As multiple factors are responsible for the development of cachexia, it has been argued that optimal cachexia interventions should target all components: multimodal therapy for a multimodal problem. The overall aim of this study is to early prevent the development of cachexia rather than treatment late in the disease trajectory. From a patient perspective a short term effect will be to improve physical and psychological function, to reduce symptom burden and to improve survival. In other words live a longer and better life during and after chemotherapy. Direct effects of the cachexia intervention are expected to be reduction of weight and muscle loss, and improved physical activity and quality of life.

Timeline

Start

2015-04

Primary completion

2023-04

Completion

2023-04

Publications

• Background Solheim TS, Laird BJA, Balstad TR, Bye A, Stene G, Baracos V, Strasser F, Griffiths G, Maddocks M, Fallon M, Kaasa S, Fearon K. Cancer cachexia: rationale for the MENAC (Multimodal-Exercise, Nutrition and Anti-inflammatory medication for Cachexia) trial. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2018 Sep;8(3):258-265. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2017-001440. Epub 2018 Feb 9.
• Naito T. Challenges in enhancing physical performance in thoracic cancer cachexia. Thorac Cancer. 2021 Oct;12(20):2633-2634. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.14154. Epub 2021 Sep 15. No abstract available.

Drugs

Indications