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Can Protein Intake be Increased Using Whole Foods Post-treatment in Cancer Patients?

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Cancer
Other Malnutrition
Interventions
Other: ≥ 2 eggs in addition to usual diet for 8 weeks
Other: ≥ 2 eggs in addition to usual diet for 4 weeks
Registration Number
NCT05859100
Lead Sponsor
University of Alberta
Brief Summary

Cancer and its treatments often result in severe toxicities and side effects that, over the course of treatment, results in weight loss and depletion of key nutrients. Loss of muscle mass and strength during cancer treatment is a critical problem because it negatively affects patient response and tolerance to therapy and post-treatment recovery. To restore the nutritional status, it is imperative to stimulate muscle protein anabolism. Eggs are high quality protein source, popular and well tolerated by cancer patients. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine whether a nutritional intervention of ≥2 eggs can aid in restoring nutritional status and improving immune function and quality of life of cancer patients' post-treatment. It is an 8- week randomised clinical trial with parallel arm assignment. Half of the participants will receive the nutritional intervention (Early Intervention) and the other half will be on standard of care or usual diet for first 4 weeks. Starting from week 5, all participants will receive the nutrition intervention till week 8 (Delayed Intervention). Dietary intake (foods and nutrients), cumulative protein intake (g protein/kg body weight), immunological measures, physical performance and quality of life has been planned to be assessed over time and between groups to evaluate the feasibility of an egg intervention in meeting recommended protein intakes for patients with cancer.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients must have the ability to read, understand, and sign an informed consent and must be willing to comply with study treatment and follow-up.
  • ≥18 years of age
  • Histopathologically confirmed cancer with receipt of a platinum chemotherapy during treatment; active treatment has concluded.
  • Capable of volitional oral semi-solid intake at baseline; able to maintain oral intake over the trial.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Fed by nasogastric tube, gastrostomy, or total parenteral nutrition
  • Cancer of the brain, Cancer of the regions which impact an individual's ability to consume food.
  • A known hypersensitivity / allergy to eggs.
  • Enrolment in any other clinical protocol or investigational study that may interfere with study procedures.
  • Poorly controlled chronic illnesses or other inflammatory diseases (e.g. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD), uncontrolled non-insulin dependent diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis).
  • In a clinician opinion, patients who have medical conditions that could interfere with nutrient metabolism or absorption (e.g., short bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, etc.)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Early Intervention≥ 2 eggs in addition to usual diet for 8 weeksParticipants are expected to begin intervention immediately after the completion of treatment for a period of 8 weeks.
Delayed Intervention≥ 2 eggs in addition to usual diet for 4 weeksParticipants are expected to begin intervention 4 weeks after the completion of the treatment, for a period of 4 weeks (weeks 5-8).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Difference in mean cumulative protein intake between the two groups at 8 weeks.From baseline at 8 weeks

Mean cumulative protein intake will be arrived at by normalizing protein intake in kilocalories by body weight in kilograms

Difference in mean cumulative protein intake within a group at 8 weeks for each group.From baseline at 8 weeks

Mean cumulative protein intake will be arrived at by normalizing protein intake in kilocalories by body weight in kilograms

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Body weightFrom baseline at 8 weeks

in kilograms

Change in Energy IntakeFrom baseline at 8 weeks

Energy intake can be described as energy intake in kilocalories normalized by body weight in kilograms.

Change in Quality of LifeFrom baseline at 8 weeks

Research and Development(RAND) Short Form 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 Minimum to Maximum score= 0 to 100 High Score indicates more favorable outcome.

Change in Nutritional status and Symptom severity.From baseline at 8 weeks

Patient generated-subjective global assessment (PG-SGA), 0-9 point score, higher the score more severe the malnourishment.

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale- Revised (ESAS-r, 0 to 10 Visual analog scale, higher the number more severe the symptom)

Change in Physical performanceFrom baseline at 8 weeks

Short physical performance battery (SPPB, Score range= 0 to 12, higher the score better the performance)

Change in Quality of Life related to malnutritionFrom baseline at 8 weeks

Functional assessment of Anorexia-Cachexia Therapy 5 question Anorexia/ Cachexia subscale (FAACT A/C Subscale, Score Range= 0 to 20, Higher the score better the quality of life)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Alberta

🇨🇦

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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