Phase Angle Research Study in NeoplastIc Patients Treated with Standard Chemotherapy (PARSNIP)

Abstract

Purpose This study evaluated whether a series of analyses that are associated with physical state decay, such as phase angle (PhA), obtained by bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) performed before the first cycle (t0) and after 1-2 months (t1) of chemotherapy, might be associated with differences in a series of clinical factors. Methods In this monocentric, prospective, observational study we enrolled patients affected by solid tumors (breast or gastrointestinal cancers) treated with chemotherapy at our Institution between February and July 2019. We calculated whether a series of clinical factors (age, sex, type of chemotherapy regimen, metastatic vs not-metastatic disease involvement and different tumor type) might be associated with changes in PhA. BIA analysis was performed with DF50 Body Composition Analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed with statistical software R (4.1.0) and MedCalc® Statistical Software version 19.7.2. Results Thirty patients were enrolled, treated with chemotherapy in neoadjuvant, adjuvant or first line metastastic setting. In the whole cohort of patients, it was observed a reduction of PhA (p=0.02) between t0 and t1. Stratifying by clinical variables, female patients (p=0.02), younger patients (p=0.02), predominantly with not-metastatic involvement (p=0.03), affected by breast cancer (p<0.01) and who received taxane-based chemotherapy (p=0.01) were those a statistically significant difference in PhA between t0 and t1 was observed. Conclusion Our study suggest that PhA decrease is frequent as neoplastic disease worsens. BIA is an effective method for detecting PhA that seems to be a good indicator of patient’s malnutrition state. Selected subgroups of patients might be at higher risk of PhA decrease (females, breast cancer patients, younger patients, those treated with taxanes) and should be offered prompt nutritional assessment and support. Further studies in these subgroups of patients are recommended.