Effect of a protein and energy dense n-3 fatty acid enriched oral supplement on loss of weight and lean tissue in cancer cachexia: a randomised double blind trial

Abstract

Aim: N-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), may possess anticachectic properties. This trial compared a protein and energy dense supplement enriched with n-3 fatty acids and antioxidants (experimental: E) with an isocaloric isonitrogenous control supplement (C) for their effects on weight, lean body mass (LBM), dietary intake, and quality of life in cachectic patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: A total of 200 patients (95 E; 105 C) were randomised to consume two cans/day of the E or C supplement (480 ml, 620 kcal, 32 g protein ¡ 2.2 g EPA) for eight weeks in a multicentre, randomised, double blind trial. Results: At enrolment, patients' mean rate of weight loss was 3.3 kg/month. Intake of the supplements (E or C) was below the recommended dose (2 cans/day) and averaged 1.4 cans/day. Over eight weeks, patients in both groups stopped losing weight (Dweight E: 20.25 kg/month versus C: 20.37 kg/month; p = 0.74) and LBM (DLBM E: +0.27 kg/month versus C: +0.12 kg/month; p = 0.88) to an equal degree (change from baseline E and C, p,0.001). In view of evident non-compliance in both E and C groups, correlation analyses were undertaken to examine for potential dose-response relationships. E patients demonstrated significant correlations between their supplement intake and weight gain (r = 0.50, p,0.001) and increase in LBM (r = 0.33, p = 0.036). Such correlations were not statistically significant in C patients. The relationship of supplement intake with change in LBM was significantly different between E and C patients (p = 0.043). Increased plasma EPA levels in the E group were associated with weight and LBM gain (r = 0.50, p,0.001; r = 0.51, p = 0.001). Weight gain was associated with improved quality of life (p,0.01) only in the E group. Conclusion: Intention to treat group comparisons indicated that at the mean dose taken, enrichment with n-3 fatty acids did not provide a therapeutic advantage and that both supplements were equally effective in arresting weight loss. Post hoc dose-response analysis suggests that if taken in sufficient quantity, only the n-3 fatty acid enriched energy and protein dense supplement results in net gain of weight, lean tissue, and improved quality of life. Further trials are required to examine the potential role of n-3 enriched supplements in the treatment of cancer cachexia.

A randomized phase II feasibility trial of a multimodal intervention for the management of cachexia in lung and pancreatic cancer

“…To illustrate, in patient in whom compliance in the ONS was low, it may be that ONS that are not enriched with EPA could be used, and instead, EPA supplementation given via oral capsule. Previous intervention studies have also demonstrated that compliance with ONS34 and exercise35 can be challenging, and there is an obvious risk that the control group may adopt the intervention. However, contamination in the control arm was limited in the present study, and this clearly bodes well for future trial designs adopting this approach.…”

Fasting vs dietary restriction in cellular protection and cancer treatment: from model organisms to patients

“…Among the problems associated with the translation of DR into clinical applications is that chronic DR delays but does not stop the progression of the disease (Mukherjee et al, 2004;Bonorden et al, 2009;Shelton et al, 2010), and that this delay will occur for only a subset of malignancies (Kalaany and Sabatini, 2009). Although weight loss and cachexia in the early stages of cancer progression are not as common as thought (Tisdale, 2002;Fearon et al, 2003;Fox et al, 2009), the B15% loss of body mass index caused by a moderate (20%) calorie restriction (Racette et al, 2006) would prevent its use in the great majority of cancer treatment scenarios. In addition, the effect of long-term restriction in delaying wound healing and impairing immune function Kristan, 2008;Reed et al, 1996) may impose a significant risk to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, surgery or immunity-based treatments (Kim and Demetri, 1996).…”

Protective effects of dietary PUFA against chronic disease: evidence from epidemiological studies and intervention trials

“…However, despite what appeared to be a promising approach, the results from the phase 2 trial were equivocal (41) .…”