Metabolism of Lipids in Advanced Cancer

Terminated

• Conditions: Lung Neoplasms; Cachexia
• Interventions: Other: Blood draws; Biological: Oral administration of stable isotope (deuterium); Procedure: Metabolic rate testing

• Registration Number: NCT00962234
• Lead Sponsor: AHS Cancer Control Alberta

Brief Summary

The causes of failing nutrition status in advanced cancer are not well known. The way fat is moved, stored, burned or changed into other compounds may be affected and will be followed in patients using a tracer and other blood tests. The investigators hypothesize that fat loss and wasting results from low essential fatty acid availability in the body. Changes may occur in the liver that limits distribution and availability of fat to the body as an energy source or for other essential functions.

Detailed Description

Weight loss in cancer is the result of breakdown of fat (lipid) and muscle protein reserves. This research will explore how people with cancer use fat in their body through the use of tracers and measures in the blood. A stable isotope of hydrogen called 'deuterium' is used to trace the production of different fats by the liver. Other methods will determine how much and what types of fat are transported around the body. Body composition will be determined by CT scan and related to fat measures.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2009-08-17
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-08-18
• Study First Posted: 2009-08-19
• Study Start: 2009-10
• Primary Completion: 2011-10
• Study Completion: 2011-10
• Status Verified: 2012-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-02-24
• Last Update Posted: 2016-02-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: TERMINATED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 12

Inclusion Criteria

• Low plasma phospholipids OR low plasma ratio of triglycerides to free fatty acids
• Recent weight loss
• Advanced stage lung cancer (Stage 3 or 4)

Exclusion Criteria

• Having symptoms that may affect measures of fat metabolism (nausea, vomiting, problems swallowing, etc.)
• Taking n-3 fatty acid supplements such as fish oil

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Metabolism	Blood draws	Lung cancer patients who exhibit abnormalities in lipid measures.
Metabolism	Oral administration of stable isotope (deuterium)	Lung cancer patients who exhibit abnormalities in lipid measures.
Metabolism	Metabolic rate testing	Lung cancer patients who exhibit abnormalities in lipid measures.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rate of hepatic de novo lipogenesis	9 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Measures of fat transport and availability	9 months
Resting metabolic rate & fat oxidation	9 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Cross Cancer Institute; 🇨🇦 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada