Measuring body composition using the bioelectrical impedance method can predict the outcomes of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with pancreatobiliary tract cancer

Abstract

Abstract. In order to examine the effect on body composition of anticancer drug treatments, the body composition rate in patients being treated with gemcitabine (GEM)-based chemotherapy was measured over time on an outpatient basis with a simple body composition monitor using the bioelectrical impedance (BI) method. The results revealed a significant reduction in the body fat rate (P=0.01) over the course of treatment in patients with pancreatobiliary tract cancer who became unable to continue GEM-based chemotherapy due to progressive disease or a decreased performance status. Meanwhile, no changes were observed in the body composition of control patients with urothelial carcinoma receiving GEM-based chemotherapy. In association with the adverse reactions to GEM and the hematotoxicity profile, a decreased white blood cell count was more likely to occur in body fat-dominant patients (mean fat rate, 25.8%; mean muscle rate, 26.2%), whereas a decreased blood platelet count was more likely to occur in skeletal muscle-dominant patients (mean fat rate, 23.3%; mean muscle rates, 28.7%). The correlation between body composition parameters and the relative dose intensity (RDI) associated with GEM administration was also analyzed. The results revealed a positive correlation between the RDI and basal metabolism amount (P=0.03); however, the RDI did not correlate with the body fat rate, skeletal muscle rate or body mass index (P=0.61, P=0.14 and P=0.20, respectively).In conclusion, the body composition rate measurement using the BI method over time may be useful for predicting the outcome of GEM-based chemotherapy and adverse events in patients with pancreatobiliary tract cancer. In particular, the present findings indicate that the changes in body fat rate may be helpful as an adjunct index for assessing potential continuation of chemotherapy and changes in physical conditions.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy can precisely discriminate human breast carcinoma from benign tumors

“…The application of bioimpedance has long been investigated in medical areas to identify human tissues or detect invisible lesions, and its accuracy is relatively high. [ 7 – 10 ] As to larger samples, we found that several studies published recently reported that BIS can detect breast cancer surgery related arm lymphedema at an earlier stage. In these studies, researchers put 2 measurement electrodes at 10 cm intervals along the dorsal surface of the patient's arm at locations of 10, 20, 30, and 40 cm from the ulnar styloid.…”

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“…It is considered that these disorders of various metabolic/nutrition pathways accompanied with cancer progression lead to the decrease of ghrelin production or the increase of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production, which causes loss of appetite, malnutrition, and cancer cachexia. We have previously studied the body composition of advanced pancreato-biliary cancer patients and have reported the importance of maintaining body fat in order to continue cancer chemotherapy [4].…”