The Prognostic Value of Body Protein in Patients with Lung Cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer is a major cause of death in many countries. To improve the results of treatment, more individualized therapy is necessary; for this, it is necessary to identify new prognostic factors. In 21 patients with lung cancer (17 with non‐small‐cell lung cancer and 4 with small‐cell lung cancer) that had received radiation treatment, the amount of body protein was estimated with in vivo neutron activation analysis. Patients in whom body protein decreased had recurrences of the disease earlier and a poorer survival than patients whose body protein increased. A clear relationship was seen between changes in the body's protein content and recurrence‐free survival. To better evaluate the prognostic value of body protein content in patients with lung cancer, a larger number of patients and a longer follow‐up period are needed.

The underappreciated role of muscle in health and disease

“…For example, in patients with lung cancer receiving radiation therapy, the amount of body protein (measured by in vivo neutronactivation analysis) predicted recurrence. In those in whom body protein decreased, recurrence and, ultimately, survival was worse than in patients who were able to maintain or increase muscle mass (14). Although it is possible that muscle loss occurs because of impaired appetite and, thus, reduced protein intake in those more susceptible to recurrence, the relation between muscle mass and recurrence is nonetheless striking.…”

“…Both cardiac failure and cancer are often associated with rapid and extensive loss of muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function (cachexia). With cardiac and cancer cachexia, the loss of muscle mass is an important determinant of survival (14,18). Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and function that occurs with aging, is a widespread syndrome that has a devastating effect on quality of life and ultimately survival (19).…”

A review of weight loss and sarcopenia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation

“…Importantly, loss of lean body mass is associated with poorer treatment tolerance and worse cancer outcomes [28][29][30]. For example, in patients receiving systemic chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, loss of ≥ 9 % muscle mass during a 3 month period was independently predictive of lower survival at 6 months compared to patients who had < 9 % loss, 33 % versus 69 %, respectively, despite no difference in treatment modifications [31].…”

Perioperative Correction of Metabolism in Patients with Lung Cancer

“…Источники эндогенного азота при антигипоксической терапии могут включаться в реакции ресинтеза белко вых молекул и не выводиться почками, что может спо собствовать сокращению сроков отрицательного азотис того баланса, опасного с точки зрения развития послеоперационных осложнений и продолжения проти воопухолевой терапии [32,33]. Сохранение белково энергетического баланса в онкологии играет важную роль в проведении последующих этапов лечения онко логических больных: у истощенных больных чаще воз никают побочные эффекты от проводимого лечения, они плохо отвечают на химиотерапию, долго находятся на стационарном химиотерапевтическом лечении, в этой группе больных раком легкого отмечается низкая выжи ваемость [34][35][36][37]. Выявленные положительные эффек ты цитофлавина у онкопульмонологических больных подчеркивают значимую роль гипоксических процессов в формировании синдрома гиперкатаболизма гиперме таболизма и зависимость сроков их купирования от включения антигипоксантов в комплекс послеопераци онной интенсивной терапии.…”